Minister Simon Harris has said there is now three options on the table for Ireland's planned October 22 reopening.
It comes after the freedom day the country was preparing for has been thrust into doubt after rising cases and concern from NPHET.
Simon Harris has said that the Government could now have the choice of either proceeding with the full reopening, scrapping it, or pushing forward and keeping some restrictions after October 22.
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland, the Minister said: "We do need some perspective as well. We’re seeing this at a time when 90pc of our people are fully vaccinated and we’re seeing the benefits of that. I do think we have to move away from thinking it’s a binary choice when it comes to Covid and reopening.
“I think there’s now a third way. I think there’s a choice facing Government and we’ll consult the health experts - NPHET meet on Monday - and a decision will be made on Tuesday. I think we can proceed, pause or proceed whilst retaining some safeguards.
“I would ask the question if there is a way of proceeding with more of the reopening while perhaps retaining vaccine certs a little longer or perhaps maintaining face masks in scenarios where perhaps they were not envisaged a few weeks ago."
HSE Chief Paul Reid also voiced his concern about the situation but said it is not a time to "hit the panic button".
The Government is expected to meet on Monday before a decision is announced by Taoiseach Micheal Martin Tuesday - we will have all the updates on the Irish Mirror in the build up to any announcement.
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