The Tánaiste has ruled out bringing back Covid restrictions despite Ireland battling another wave of the virus.
Leo Varadkar said the rise in the number of Covid cases is a “cause for concern, not a cause for panic”.
There are currently around 1,100 people in hospital with Covid, with some 50 people in ICU.
Mr Varadkar said about half of those with Covid were already in hospital and that their positive cases were picked up during routine checks.
Mr Varadkar made the comments as the country commemorated those who lost their lives to Covid.
The event, entitled the National Day of Remembrance and Reflection Ceremony, took place in the Garden of Remembrance in north Dublin on Sunday.
The ceremony paid tribute to those who died during the pandemic and those who battled the challenges posed by the disease.
More than 6,600 people have died from Covid in Ireland since March 2020.
“Even as we mark this occasion today, there are about 50 people in ICU with Covid and 1,100 people in hospital,” Mr Varadkar said.
“That, of course, reminds us that the pandemic is ongoing.
“It’s a cause for concern, not a cause for panic.
“We’re monitoring the situation very tightly, and really encouraging people who haven’t had their booster to have that because we know that the immunity from the virus wears off.
“We’re also giving consideration as to whether we need to start on a fourth dose program, particularly for older people in those who are medically vulnerable.”
Asked whether the Government is considering bringing in further restrictions to deal with the current wave, Mr Varadkar said: “I don’t think it’s going to require the reimposition of restrictions.
“It is a very different situation at the moment. About half of those in hospital with Covid would be in hospital anyway, it’s incidental finding in their cases.
“This is another wave, but we don’t anticipate it will necessitate the reimposition of restrictions, but other things need to continue.
“We need to make sure that people have those boosters and third doses.”
He said that Europe is currently seeing a second wave of the Omicron variant.