The Tánaiste says the current restrictions on movement due to the coronavirus crisis may well be extended beyond Sunday week.
The Cabinet sub-committee is meeting today to discuss the impact of the rules that were announced last Friday night.
People have been told to stay at home wherever possible, with all non-essential businesses currently closed.
The restrictions are currently due to end on April 12th, but Simon Coveney says they may well go on beyond that.
He made his comments this morning at the launch of a new community initiative to help vulnerable people during the crisis.
Minister Coveney said: "The Government takes its advice from the Chief Medical Officer and his team in the National Public Health Emergency Team.
"People do need to realise that these restrictions may go on for some time.
"I think it's wrong to set a timeline on it - we've set an initial period, but I think it may well be that we will need to go beyond that initial deadline."
Community call
The Tánaiste was speaking as he and a number of other ministers launched an initiative dubbed 'Community Call'.
It has been described as a partnership of national government, local government and volunteer sectors to support the community response to the current crisis.
It will initially focus on supports for vulnerable and elderly individuals, but will expand to encompass "broader well-being" in the coming weeks.
Minister Coveney said the initiative "happening everywhere from today", and that every local authority has now established a community forum.
He described it as an “unprecedented mobilisation of state and voluntary resources”, suggesting: “It will be how we respond as communities - how we look after our friends and our neighbours - that may well be decisive."
Michael Ring - the Minister for Rural and Community Development - said many agencies will be involved in the initiative.
Groups involved will include the HSE, local authority community development departments, gardaí, the volunteer sector, the GAA, the IFA, migrant organisations and church groups.
He highlighted the particular role of the charity Alone, saying they "already understand the impact of isolation".
