Most shops look set to stay shut next month because of the high number of covid cases.
The Taoiseach has told his parliamentary party the majority of the current Level 5 restrictions are set to be extended into February.
1,949 patients are being treated in hospital this afternoon with the virus and 210 are in ICU.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe says he takes responsibility for the Government decisions that led to the increase in cases.
"I of course accept my responsibility as a member of the government, the decisions I've made and the impact they've had, and all the other things I've had to do in the 10-11 months that I've been trying to lead and work on behalf of our country to deal with Covid-19.
"I also said that of course I do accept that the decisions we made then is one of the factors in where we are now."
