Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Transport Minister says he doesn't believe further restrictions will be introduced this Christmas.
It follows a stark warning to the Cabinet Sub Committee on Covid last night.
Senior ministers were told the peak of the wave could see between 4 and 5000 cases a day and up to 200 ICU admissions.
Eamon Ryan says we need to be conscious that the virus is still present but he doesn't think a return to restrictions will be needed;
It comes as Irish people 'almost certainly' need a booster vaccine agaisnt COVID-19, according to an infectious diseases expert.
The booster campaign is currently being rolled out to over 80s, nursing home residents and those with compromised immune systems.
It comes amid concerns about rising case numbers and the possibility of waning immunity from the vaccines.
Professor Sam McConkey from the Royal College of Surgeons says the question is when different age groups should receive a booster shot:
