The country's Acting Chief Medical Officer says nightclubs will not be reopening any time soon.
Earlier this week, the Government decided to postpone phase four of the reopening plan, which includes allowing all pubs to open, in the wake of public health advice.
Phase four, which will also increase the numbers allowed to gather indoor or outdoors, now won't go ahead until at least August 10th.
It comes amid concerns over increases in the number of new COVID-19 cases being reported in recent weeks.
Acting CMO Dr Ronan Glynn said the situation in Ireland is 'precarious and uncertain' in relation to COVID-19, and suggested it will be a long before nightclubs reopen.
He said: "It's very difficult to see a nightclub open in the context of where we're at with this disease in Ireland and internationally.
"Certainly, it's hard from a public health perspective to see nightclubs open any time soon."
Dr Glynn noted the priority needs to be on the healthcare system and the education system, as well as protecting the must vulnerable.
He also pointed to international evidence showing coronavirus clusters and case increases linked to venues such as nightclubs.
Yesterday evening public health officials confirmed 21 more COVID-19 cases, along with one further death.
The virus death toll now stands at 1,749, while the number of confirmed cases has risen to 25,698.
