Pubs could now potentially reopen on Monday, August 31.
The decision to push back phase four was announced by the Taoiseach this evening after a Cabinet meeting.
All of phase four has been postponed for three weeks at least - a review will be made again on August 25 before a potential move the following Monday.
Micheal Martin said allowing pubs to reopen would be "damaging for our plan to reopen schools safely and would of course be very damaging for our public health."
The Taoiseach said the decision "will come as a bitter disappointment to many" but added we are "doing what we are doing to save lives."
Mr Martin added: "As I have said a number of times now while we have reopened out society and the economy to a significant degree, one thing has not changed, this virus has not changed.
"It remains as virulent as ever and it is constantly on the search for new people to infect
It remains completely indiscriminate in its cruelty.
"But as dangerous as it is we have shown that we can beat it. Each one of us has the power to suppress it."
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