Dr Tony Holohan has told how Ireland's incidence rate has now dropped to be the second lowest in Europe.
The positive update from the Chief Medical Officer comes ahead of Level Five restrictions being due to expire next week.
And with just days to go until the second lockdown is set to wrap up, the country recorded just 252 new cases of Covid-19.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday evening, Dr Holohan said Ireland's 14 day incidence rate currently sits at 107 per 100,000, a figure which only trails Finland in the European leaderboard.
He added that the incidence has reduced by 40% in the past 14 days.
Finland's rate is currently just under 70 cases per 100,000 population.
Dr Holohan said: "There are about three countries that are doing a little better than that but if you look at each of them closely you'll see that the 14 day incidence is many times greater than here.
"So ours is both low in absolute terms and reducing significantly."
Dr Holohan added that around two thirds of countries across Europe are experiencing a growth in their two week rate, while Ireland's has dropped.
Meanwhile, people across the nation are waiting in anticipation to see what measures will be taken to ease restrictions ahead of the Christmas period.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin today met with fellow party leaders for crucial crunch talks on Level Five restrictions as the government faces a series of difficult decisions in the days ahead.
Mr Martin said that the Government must "bear in mind" how a ban on visits to homes during Level Three helped to halt the spread of the disease.
And it is unlikely that wet pubs will be allowed to open for the Christmas period, while restaurants look set to return should cases remain stable.
