Covid-19 trends are moving in the wrong direction more rapidly than anticipated, according to the Chief Medical Officer.
764 more people have tested positive for the virus in the latest data, while four more people have died.
Locally, Cavan reported 14 new Covid cases, with another eight in Monaghan. Both counties have seen increasing numbers of cases reported in recent days.
Dr Tony Holohan says "intergenerational mixing" at Christmas could lead to far more elderly people being infected and dying.
The infection rate among those aged 19-44 more than doubled in the nine days leading up up to yesterday's six-week record figure.
Professor Anthony Staines says the government's control strategy for the pandemic just isn't working - and can't be sustained:
