Dublin hasn't yet seen a significant improvement in coronavirus numbers, according to Dr Ronan Glynn.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer says we'll only start to see the impact of restrictions in the coming days, and that the county isn't yet in a place where a move back to level two can be considered.
Dublin has now been under level three restrictions for nearly two weeks, with the measures to be in place for at least another 10 days.
Donegal - which is also under level three restrictions - has overtaken the worst regions of Dublin, with 204.2 cases per 100,000 over the past 14 days.
However, the incidence rate in the capital has continued to rise slowly over the past seven days.
Speaking at the Oireachtas COVID-19 Committee today, Dr Glynn said it's too early to make a call on easing the current restrictions.
He said: "I fully appreciate the need for certainty - but what I would say is the measures that were in place last Friday week for Dublin will only be beginning to take effect yesterday, today, tomorrow.
"We do need to see a significant improvement over the coming days in Dublin - we have not seen it yet.
"NPHET could sit today and make a recommendation for Dublin on Sunday week - but it would be a premature recommendation, and a likely inaccurate recommendation."
He warned that moving too early could have significant consequences, and that issues around the timing of the lifting of restrictions are ultimately a decision for Government.
Dr Glynn said the next few days are critical for Dublin - but the next few days after that could also be critical if there's no stabilisation.
