One cabinet minister has tested positive for the coronavirus just hours after the Government announced measures for a third lockdown.
The startling news means that all other ministers are currently restricting their movements in accordance to public health guidelines.
It was confirmed that the rest of the cabinet are also awaiting a COVID test and result but no further information was given as to which member contracted the virus.
A spokesperson for the Government said: "A member of Cabinet has tested positive for COVID-19.
"In line with public health advice, all Ministers are restricting their movements while awaiting a COVID test and result."
It comes as Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that the latest set of new restrictions, although reviewed on January 12, could be in place until March at the earliest.
He said: "It’s difficult to speculate about the timeline. But I think it’ll probably be towards the end of February or early March before a critical mass of the population is vaccinated.
"I think we need to operate on the basis that these restrictions may well be in place until that happens – although we will review the situation on January 12.
"Perhaps we’ll be able to get some positive decisions about January, but I think we should all operate on the basis that these restrictions will be in place for the first two months of next year."
And before any announcement was made on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin warned the public that there could be as much as a "six month" period of restrictions.
