A key meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) that was originally planned for Thursday will take place next Monday.
It has been deferred until next week ahead of several crucial decisions on reopening parts of society and the economy from April 5th.
Health experts were due to meet this week to decide whether some restrictions could be lifted.
The meeting has been put back to allow for further data to be analysed before NPHET gives its advice to Government on reopening dates.
The Cabinet is expected to meet on Tuesday to rubber-stamp any changes to current restrictions.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar told the Dail that it wouldn't be fair to announce a six-week plan if there was a prospect of having to undo them after three weeks.
The Fine Gael leader said: "We've seen on so many occasions that this virus rips up our plans."
Mr Varadkar ruled out easing lockdown on a county by county basis.
He added: "We're not ready yet to treat different counties differently.
"Unfortunately there is no county in Ireland at the moment where the incidence is low enough.
"Even where it's low, it's still 5/10/20 times what it was last summer.
"On Tuesday we'll give as much clarity as we can, and as much hope as we can, but we'll need to be honest.
"We're not out of the woods yet. I am hopeful about the summer but the next few weeks are worrying.
"The situation is deteriorating across Europe."
No decision has been made in relation to what restrictions will be eased from April 5, the Taoiseach has said.
Mr Martin told the Dail: "The situation in relation to the virus is very fragile.
"We have, in the last seven days, 3,800 cases.
"The sacrifices that people have made has had an impact on getting case numbers dramatically down from January figures.
"The Level 5 restrictions have worked effectively to bring numbers down very, very significantly from where they were.
"But the numbers are still high in one way too, and the fundamental reason for that is we're dealing with a variant that is highly transmissible and more dangerous.
"No decision has been made in relation to the post-April 5 situation.
"We've been engaging with public health advice and research in relation to this.
"We do acknowledge the enormous stress and strain and difficulties the current lockdown is imposing on people, in terms of personal restrictions, on their freedom and their liberties and not meeting up with others.
"We do not want to go back to a situation where we have 2,000 people in hospital."
