'Very serious situation' in hospitals could slow down reopening, Tánaiste warns 

Eamon Ryan Minister for the Environment Climate and Communications, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar address the media after this evening's national address announcing the latest round of eased restrictions.  Picture: Julien Behal/PA Wire

October 22 is not "freedom day", the Tánaiste has warned.

Speaking to the media after the Taoiseach's state of the nation address at Government Buildings, Leo Varadkar said that the date on which most Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted will, instead, be the "first day of the new normal".