Micheal Martin has said we can still have a "very special" Christmas as he announced a second nationwide lockdown.
Ireland will be under Level Five restrictions for midnight on Wednesday, which will be largely similar to the measures announced at the end of March.
But despite strict new rules, the Taoiseach gave a glimmer of hope that we can still save Christmas, if everyone follows these measures until December 1.
In an address to the nation tonight, he said: "If we pull together for the next six weeks, we will have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way.
"Every Christmas is important, but this year is particularly so.
"Each of us have our own rituals for Christmas, and they will take on an extra poignancy this year, as we remember those who didn't survive 2020.
"Not only those who have been taken by the virus, but all those who passed away this year, who didn't get the funerals, wakes and goodbyes that we as a people are so good at, and which they deserved.
"It wont be the same Christmas we've enjoyed in the years past, but if we all pull together and follow the spirit of these new rules, it will be a very special time, and will give all us respite from the hardship of the last seven months.
"If each of us does what is asked of us for a period of just six weeks, we will suppress this virus and we will emerge from these restrictions on the 1st of December."
