Taoiseach Micheal Martin issued an update on the possibility of new lockdowns after a further growth in the number of new coronavirus cases.
Nearly 2,000 infections were reported over the weekend as the virus continues to spread across the country.
However the Fianna Fail leader said there were no plans yet to move on from Level Three, and claimed there had been some glimmers of hope that the current restrictions have been working in Dublin.
On the possibility of moving to Level Four or Level Five lockdown, the Taoiseach told RTE News: "We will continue to monitor the situation and we will continue to work with NPHET in relation to this.
"But moving to Level Four for example is a very significant step and would result in a very significant impact on people.
"Poorer people do worse in a lockdown situation, people at the margins do worse, the WHO have been very clear about that. And a lot of people would lose their jobs, and a lot of anxiety and stress would have been created.
"I am very conscious of that and that's why we moved to Level Three, to give an opportunity to people, and to say to people if we work collectively at this, if our behaviour can change, if we all act as if we have the virus, then we have an opportunity to reduce the spread of this virus. And that's the challenge to us all now over the coming days.
"There are some appearances in Dublin for example that Level Three did have an impact in reducing the growth of the virus and containing it, but we will have see more figures in relation to that over the next number of days."
In terms of when another lockdown could be considered, he continued: "We will constantly monitor this. And we will certainly look at this again towards the end of the week, we will keep a watching brief."
Mr Martin also played down the idea of a short "circuit breaker" lockdown.
He added: "That's an experimental concept. We produced a graduated plan not so long ago to give people an expectation of what is to come.
"A circuit breaker in my view is experimental, I'm not convinced any such move would be a temporary move, and I think we need to clear with people on that."
While the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said last night that there has been "rapidly increasing growth rates across the country".
The Chief Medical Officer said: “It is vital that the entire population consistently implement public health advice into their daily lives; keep your social contacts to an absolute minimum and keep physical distance when you need to be out of your home.
“22 out of 26 counties have 7 day incidence rates as a percentage of 14 day incidence rates above 50%.
"This shows rapidly increasing growth rates across the country."
