The Health Minister has thanked the Irish people for the huge sacrifices that are being made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Simon Harris was speaking on his way into Government Buildings to update Cabinet on the latest recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
The NPHET is expected to call for further restrictions on movement and the closure of unnecessary businesses.
The measures are not expected to be as strict as those put in place in the UK yesterday evening.
The Cabinet is also discussing a multi-billion Euro social welfare package to subsidise wages.
COVID-19
It comes after two more people died in the Republic of Ireland after being diagnosed with COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths here to six.
219 new coronavirus cases were also confirmed yesterday evening, with 1,125 people here now having tested positive for the virus.
Minster Harris said the Government will be announcing the new measures this afternoon.
“I just want to say there is a massive national effort underway in our country to keep our people safe to keep our people well,” he said.
“The Irish people are making huge sacrifices and are really doing all they can in communities right across the country and I want to thank them for that.”
He said the Government will take the advice of public health doctors to support people around the country who are trying to do the right thing to “keep their families and their communities and their country safe.”
The NPHET met first thing this morning to consider issuing further advice on restricting public gatherings.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan last night said they would be "making clear" what the current situation is following the weekly NPHET meeting.
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to the media about COVID-19 at the Alone offices on Pleasants Street in Dublin, 23-03-2020. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNewsPublic spaces
The fresh advice on public gatherings comes after large amounts of people gathered at some parks and beaches over the weekend.
Cabinet ministers are now considering that advice - and it's likely there will be an extension of current restrictions as well as some new restrictions announced.
Schools are likely to stay closed for longer, while restrictions on non-essential work and social activity are also expected.
That Cabinet meeting will be conducted over two rooms with some Ministers teleconferencing in to allow social distancing.
UK lockdown
Today's meeting comes after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night announced a lockdown.
People will only be able to leave home for shopping, for one form of exercise a day, for a medical appointment or to help a vulnerable person.
They can also go to work, but only when it is "absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home".
It means different responses are now in place north and south of the border - putting more pressure on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to follow suit and announce more restrictive measures here.
The Cabinet will also discuss the detail of a multi-billion euro social welfare package.
It will aim to subsidise the income of people who have lost work because of the coronavirus up to somewhere around 75% of their income.
Cabinet will also approve measures to protect renters, including a rent freeze and an evictions ban.
All this emergency legislation needs to go before the Dáil this Thursday, with a huge question mark hanging over whether new laws can be passed after next week's Seanad election.
