Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will make his next address to the nation on June 5 ahead of phase two of the re-opening plan on Monday, June 8.
Mr Varadkar said today that he hopes to be speaking to the public and telling them we can proceed to stage two of the plan at that point.
However the National Public Health Emergency Team will meet twice a week for the next three weeks before they also make their recommendations on June 5.
The Taoiseach said: "In three weeks’ time, on Friday 5 June, I fervently hope to be here to announce that we will move to Phase 2. A further relaxation of restrictions.
"This depends on the progress we make between now and then. Nothing is guaranteed. The only thing that is inevitable is the spread of the virus unless we push it back every day.
"Coronavirus is a ‘fire in retreat; but it is not defeated. We must extinguish every spark, quench every ember."
The Taoiseach added: "Everything is provisional and reversible, and our progress depends on us all continuing to do what we have been doing.
"As the restrictions ease and we come into contact with more people, the opportunity for the virus to spread increases. So, self-discipline and personal responsibility will become more important, not less."
