The Taoiseach has said that efforts are being made to revise phases four and five of easing Covid-19 restrictions in order to have the country "almost fully open" by the middle of July.
This includes an earlier than planned re-opening of hairdressers and beauty salons, which under the current plans are due to reopen on 20 July.
Leo Varadkar said that work should be done "probably this week". However, he warned that this depended on the virus remaining under control and there was always a risk it "might make a comeback".
Speaking on 2FM's Breakfast show, Mr Varadkar expressed his condolences to the families of all those who have died from Covid-19.