Taoiseach Micheal Martin says Covid situation 'very concerning' and 'can't guarantee' lockdown restrictions won't return

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has refused to rule out the return of some restrictions as Ireland's Covid cases continue to rise.

The Fianna Fail leader said current case numbers are a major concern but are in line with what experts had predicted.

Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland, Mr Martin said: "There are no guarantees in relation to Covid-19.

"The modelling we received from NPHET was looking at a situation peaking towards the end of November.

"But it is very concerning, the high rise of cases."

The Taoiseach said that he had been talking to the Prime Minister of Israel during the COP26 conference who ensured him the "booster vaccine had been very effective."

Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD during the launch of the expansion of SIRO’s Gigabit broadband network in O'Reilly Hall, UCD, Dublin. (Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

Mr Martin added: "We've learned from Covid-19...we have to take it very seriously, the vaccines work, we are in a very different place from where we were last year."

It comes as NIAC has recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine be offered to all frontline healthcare workers who have completed their primary course with any Covid-19 vaccine.

As with other cohorts, the booster dose will be given six months (with a minimum interval of five months) following completion of the primary vaccination schedule.

Suppose a healthcare worker has been infected with Covid-19 after receiving their first initial full course of vaccination. In that case, the booster dose will be delayed for at least six months after the Covid-19 infection was diagnosed.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said: "Our frontline healthcare workers have been at the cold face of this pandemic for almost two years, caring for those most vulnerable and making extraordinary personal sacrifices.

"As with all decisions regarding the administration of Covid-19 vaccines, the NIAC have reviewed international evidence in presenting these recommendations.

"I am working with my Department and the HSE to implement these recommendations as soon as possible.

"It is important that we remember that vaccination, along with our continued adherence to the public health advice we are all so familiar with are the best ways we can protect each other."