The Minister for Health has said that the reproduction rate at which Covid-19 is transmitted has now dropped to below 1 to between 0.7 and 0.9.
Speaking at the Health Committee, Stephen Donnelly said that the decision to move to Level Five two weeks ago was made due to evidence showing the rapid increase in case numbers.
Mr Donnelly also told the committee that there are positive signs in recent days in relation to the number of Covid-19 cases.
He acknowledged that it has been a very difficult year for everyone in Ireland and right across the world. Mr Donnelly said that the 14-day incidence rate is now 228 cases per 100,000 compared to 278 in the previous 14-day period.