Coronavirus restrictions in Ireland are set to remain in place for a while yet as the new UK variant of the virus takes hold.
The Taoiseach has said that Ireland's strict Covid-19 restrictions could remain in place for the first half of the year.
Micheal Martin said new coronavirus cases may need to be as low as 100-200 before restrictions can be relaxed.
Mr Martin has said that his concern is the new UK variant.
Speaking on RTE Radio 1 Mr Martin said: "It will become the dominant variant here. It is at 62% of all cases. It transmits more easily.
"If we have mass mobilisation and mass socialisation it will spread again.
"I think with the vaccines coming, there's an argument to be cautious and conservative now for the first half of this year, until we roll out the vaccines.
"We will be witnessing far more prolonged restrictions than we have to date."
