Micheál Martin has said vaccines are the ultimate weapon against the Delta variant.
The Taoiseach acknowledged that the Government is still “very concerned” about the extremely contagious Covid variant that is rampaging all across Europe.
It is predicted that it could represent 90% of all new cases in Europe by August and the Taoiseach conceded that this is what is most likely to happen here too.
Mr Martin was at an EU Summit in Brussels where European prime ministers and leaders were gathered to discuss the latest plans to beat the pandemic.
He spoke to reporters from the EU’s Consilium building on his way in to meet his 26 fellow EU leaders for the summer summit.
Mr Martin said: “We need to have a full assessment of the prevalence of the Delta variant right now across Europe.
“It's not just the UK anymore.
“There are very high numbers in Portugal, for example.
"Full vaccination is the most important protective weapon we have against the Delta Variant in our case, or indeed any other variants that may emerge."
The Taoiseach said that European leaders are taking into account the potential arrival of further Covid variants down the line, and that each State is making its own preparations to deal with this possibility.
But he said that the Union members would also work together in a coordinated way, with vaccines at the heart of all the responses.
He said: "There may be different member state responses to the impact of the Delta variant.
“Vaccination is going to be key in this respect, the pace of vaccination, particularly the second dose.”
Mr Martin also said the decision to reduce the time between first and second AstraZeneca doses would see a “significant” number of more people vaccinated over the rest of the summer.
He Added: "We'll continue to explore other areas if we can to speed up the vaccination programme, because it's the vaccines that will give protection.
"I'm delighted that in Ireland, at one level, in the age cohorts that are currently vaccinated, the vaccination uptake has been very, very high.
"The incidence of Covid in the over 65s is very, very low.
“In the 50 to 65 age group, it is also decreasing at a rapid rate."
