The letter sent by Dr Tony Holohan to Minister Simon Harris recommending the extension of lockdown restrictions is available to read in its entirety.
The Chief Medical Officer writes to the Government after every National Public Health Emergency Team meeting to which the Cabinet then discuss.
Friday's correspondence shows what the NPHET recommended and how the Cabinet agreed to all three main points.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar then announced these measures in a live briefing to the nation.
In the letter it says: "Arising from the discussion at the meeting, the NPHET recommends the extension of the current public health measures; with this extension effective until midnight on Sunday 17th May 2020. The NPHET will keep this under review during the intervening period.
"In light of the extension date for the public health measures, the NPHET considered that the power contained in the Health Act 1947 should be updated and continue to be available for use by Gardai in the coming weeks.
"The NPHET is conscious of the impact of public health social distancing measures on people's daily lives.
"Bearing this in mind, in the intervening period, the NPHET has agreed that the following measures are appropriate for recommendation to Government as it is considered that they will not significantly increase the overall public health risk associated with the disease."
The measures recommended were the lifting of the 2km limit to 5km, letting those cocooning out for a walk a day and that the use of face masks in the community in future would become a part of measures.
You can read the entire letter from CMO Dr Tony Holohan right here.
