Micheál Martin has expressed fresh caution on emerging out of lockdown this morning.
He said that the unpredictability of the B117 (UK) Covid variant is restraining Government.
The Taoiseach was speaking to reporters on his way into the weekly Cabinet meeting in Government Buildings on Tuesday.
Mr Martin first praised the public for their efforts in helping suppress the virus during the third wave, while indicating that any more reopenings would be based on stringent reviews.
The Taoiseach was speaking after Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader, Leo Varadkar, told TDs, MEPs and Senators in a letter on Monday to expect strict restrictions could well last into “early May.”
He said: “The work of the people is having an impact, that is the main thing…. But also the impact of vaccinations is beginning to be seen.
“We will make further announcements to the public closer to the fifth of April in terms of where we go from the fifth of April onwards.
“The return of schools yesterday was a very positive sign as well and it was great to see students and teachers speak so positively about that.
“So obviously, we will evaluate that up to the 15th of this month, then with a view to returning more kids to school, all going well.
“So this is a constant process of evaluation because of the variant, because of B117.
“Parallel to that then is the rollout of the vaccine, which I think is having an impact.
“That’s what the clinician is telling us in terms of outbreaks and infection rates.”
For the latest updates to your inbox, sign up to our free coronavirus newsletter
