Dr Tony Holohan has said that Ireland can "look forward to the easing of measures" if Covid cases remain stable in the weeks and months ahead.
The Chief Medical Officer was speaking upon his return to work after the tragic passing of his wife Emer earlier this year.
Ireland's top doctor was welcomed by reporters as he chaired a media briefing for the National Public Health Emergency Team this evening.
And he moved to offer a message of hope for the summer months, should cases remain low and the vaccine programme continues as planned.
He explained: "We are in a strong position in that transmission levels have reduced substantially and the roll-out of vaccination is protecting more and more of those at risk from the severe effects of Covid-19.
“If we can maintain our current position there is hope that we can look forward to a real easing of measures, but it is as important as ever that we don’t put that progress at risk by letting our collective guard down too much, or too early.”
He was speaking after Ireland recorded its first major spike in cases in recent weeks - with 617 new infections confirmed.
Meanwhile, 10 more people were confirmed as having lost their lives after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, added: “The R number is estimated as being very close to 1.0.
"We continue to keep close contacts at 2.6 – a phenomenal testament to the public in keeping social transmission low.
"All indicators of the disease are stable or declining slowly, though we may see an increase in cases over the coming days.
"Maintaining this over the coming weeks is key to managing community transmission, and a move towards easing of measures.”
The latest figures bring the death toll to 4,866, while the total number of infections here is 245,310.
