Taoiseach Micheal Martin is due to address the nation tonight about new measures to stop the spread of coronavirus across Ireland.
The address will follow a rejection by Cabinet of a move to Level Five of the Living with Covid-19 plan, which the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) had recommended last night.
The Government is instead understood to have mooted a move to Level Three countrywide - moving 24 counties up from Level Two and keeping Dublin and Donegal where they are.
However, there may be a closer focus on adherence to and enforcement of the rules.
It comes amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the past few weeks, with a further 518 cases announced nationwide today.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin is due to speak to the Irish public at 9pm tonight on the new measures, which include the shuttering of pubs and restaurants that can't serve people outside.
However, it is understood the Fianna Fail leader will not be taking questions on the matter.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar will also appear on RTE's Claire Byrne Show at the earlier time of 9.35pm tonight.
A move to Level Five would have seen the country return to a similar lockdown to that of March - except schools and creches would be kept open.
But in the face of increasing economic pressure, the Government has pushed back on this 'nuclear' option.
