Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald is unwell with a "head cold" and will not be attending the emergency Dail sitting today.
Politicians will gather in Leinster House for a 12-hour sitting to debate new legislation to deal with the coronavirus crisis.
But Ms McDonald confirmed she would not be there due to her illness and she would be seeking advice from her GP.
Pearse Doherty will represent her instead.
Writing on Twitter, she said: "Woke up this morning with a head cold. Talking to my GP later.
"For now lying low, staying home. Over to @PearseDoherty to lead the charge at today's Dail sitting. Stay safe everyone."
Emergency measures being suggested in the Public Interest Bill will be debated in the hope of it being passed in the Dail today and put to the Seanad tomorrow.
The new measures will see renters given greater protection during the Covid-19 crisis with temporary bans on evictions and rent freezes to be implemented if passed.
The Government say renters will expect to pay their rent as normal during this time and that those who are in financial difficulty can avail of support, including rent supplements.
