Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced a number of measures which will allow for a further reopening of society and economy during June, July and August.
The measures were approved by Cabinet which met earlier today. Speaking during a national address at Government Buildings, Mr Martin said that the strategy to combat Covid-19 is working and that "the end of this is within our grasp".
However, Mr Martin said that continued progress in the battle against coronavirus is not inevitable. "Change brings risks," he said.
He said that the Government is monitoring very closely the impacts that the different variants will have on the spread of the virus - in particular the variant which was first detected in India.