Ireland north and south is "close to being on the same page" with Covid restrictions.
Local Minister Heather Humphreys says there has been a "gap in our defences" since the beginning of the pandemic as an all-island approach wasn't adopted.
The issue has come to the fore again as travel into Ireland from Britain has been banned but Stormont Ministers voted against the proposals.
This means people can fly to Northern Irish airports and travel south of the border.
Speaking on The Joe Finnegan Show today, Minister Humphreys said the current restrictions will be reviewed on January 12th but they will likely be in place for longer.
She says the different restrictions on the island have led to issues in tackling the pandemic:
Meanwhile, Minister Humphreys says planned cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be deferred.
The rates of the payment had been due to fall for some people from February 1st.
