Speaking at a media briefing this morning, senior civil servant Liz Canavan made the announcement.

Now is "not the time" to attending events that could be classed as mass gatherings, such as the Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin on Monday, however well-intentioned, the chief medical officer has warned.

A further 36,200 people have returned to work in the last week, with numbers claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment now down to 543,200.

The Government last week reminded anyone receiving the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP), put in place as an emergency response to layoffs made in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, that they could be liable for a tax bill at the end of the year.

Cabinet members felt that one metre would allow restaurants and schools more latitude to open in the coming months.

Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Taoiseach Liz Canavan said that while 579,000 people remain on the €350 per-week payment introduced at the beginning of the outbreak, 35,900 returned to work in the last week.

Gardaí say people are complying with the Covid-19 restrictions since measures were eased, but authorities are also appealing to the public not to breach the guidelines on reopening the country.

That is the advice from Ireland Active, which represents the industry, during phase one of restrictions being lifted.

The government is warning people they could increase their risk of spreading Covid-19 if they use face masks incorrectly.

The first drop in the numbers claiming Covid-19 welfare payments has been attributed to people returning to work and instead availing of the wage subsidy scheme.

Nearly nine in ten people are staying home rather than going out, despite a rise in bus users, according to new government research.

More than 47,000 businesses have signed up for the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the government has announced.

The consumer watchdog has issued a warning over buying personal protective equipment (PPE) online following concerns some of the products are not the required standard.

The Government has issued a warning over buying personal protective equipment (PPE) online following concerns some of the products are not the required standard.

The extension applies from the date your licence is due to expire.

Some 10,000 people who are eligible for the coronavirus illness benefit payment have yet to claim it, officials have said.

THE Leaving Cert exams are just one link in the chain that moves students towards third-level education.

The Government has said there is no link between the spread of Covid-19 and the roll out of 5G telephone masts.

People who are experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse are exempt from the Covid-19 two kilometre travel restriction.

Health Minister Simon Harris has made clear restrictions will not be lifted yet and will be extended until further notice.

The Taoiseach says that he cannot speculate on whether restrictions on movement will end on Sunday, but says current rules are saving lives.

More than 700,000 people are now dependent on social welfare income supports, the Government has revealed.

Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe has said a Central Bank forecast predicting a €22 billion hole in Irish finances this year “confirmed what business already know”.

Almost 90% of those dying with coronavirus are aged 65 and above, official data in Ireland shows.

Assistant Secretary-General of the Department of an Taoiseach, Liz Canavan, said it will be next week before any decision is made.

Liz Canavan, Assistant Secretary-General of the Department of an Taoiseach, outlined where the new healthcare workers have been assigned.

Not all Covid-19 testing sites in Ireland are open today, due to lack of equipment.

"We appreciate how frustrating this is but the reason the CMO has made that recommendation is based on what we know about the impact of the disease.”

Seventeen deaths from coronavirus highest daily figure yet

The flight with over 130 Irish citizens who were stranded in Peru has landed at Dublin Airport.

THE Adoption Authority will ensure all of the “very serious issues” that caused the suspension of adoptions from Vietnam are addressed before any administrative agreement is agreed with the south-east Asian country.