Lockdown announcement timeline: Cabinet meeting to Taoiseach Micheal Martin's national address

Taoiseach Micheal Martin will this evening announce Ireland's plan for December as the country prepares to leave lockdown.

A Government sub-committee met for around five hours on Thursday evening where they trashed out the ins and outs of the new restrictions.

Here is a comprehensive look at what we expect the Government to announce later today.

But, before that, here's a rundown of how the day is expected to unfold so you don't miss a thing - you can also read our live blog throughout the day here.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD at Government Buildings, Dublin. (Collins)

Cabinet Meeting - early afternoon

A full Cabinet meeting will take place later this morning or in the early afternoon where the Covid plans will be finalised.

The Cabinet sub-committee will have done a lot of the heavy lifting on Thursday night although there is likely to be debate on household gatherings and the plans for pubs.

This could go on for a number of hours and will have an impact on what time exactly the Taoiseach can make an announcement.

National address - 6pm the target

The Taoiseach will announce the full plan after the Cabinet meeting live on television from outside Government buildings.

At the moment the expected time is 6pm but as has been seen in the past, this really depends on how long the Cabinet meeting goes on for.

But for now, the targeted time is six and the prime time slot of the Six One News.