It could be triggered if key indicators, such as an ICU number of more than 130, are met
That's according to the terms of the contract as seen by the Business Post.
Almost 1,300 coronavirus patients are currently in hospital and 102 are in intensive care.
In a worst case scenario, the HSE has warned admissions could reach 2,500 in hospital and 400 in ICUs by the middle of this month.
Margaret Harris from the World Health Organisation says Ireland's paying the price for allowing Christmas gatherings:
