Taoiseach: School closures not under consideration 

Fourth-class pupils wearing face masks at Ballintemple National School, Crab Lane, Cork. The wearing of face coverings in 3rd to 6th classes is now mandatory, with exemptions, at national schools following NPHET's advice to government. Picture: Larry Cummins

Closing schools before the normal Christmas holiday schedule is not under consideration, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Speaking in Cork as he officially opened the Rotary Tree of Remembrance on St Patrick's St, Mr Martin said that instead of focusing on potential school closures, the key message is that some restrictions have already been brought in.