The Taoiseach has said that people need to hold their nerve in relation to the threat posed by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Micheál Martin told RTÉ's Six One that the next phase of the pandemic will be different than earlier ones.
However he said that a good vaccination programme is in place and while he could not rule anything out in relation to further restrictions, he was "heartened" by the response to public health measures.
"We all need to hold the collective nerve here. We've been through different waves of the pandemic. We'll get over this wave as well."
People responded to the messaging over the last two months, Mr Martin added, and it should be acknowledged that the public has learned a lot over the course of the pandemic about what action to take.
The Department of Health reported 3,887 new cases of Covid-19 today, with the Chief Medical Officer saying results show that around 14% of cases are due to the Omicron variant.
Dr Tony Holohan said: "We can expect this proportion to rise rapidly over the coming days".
There are 493 people in hospital who have tested positive for the virus, down 25 from yesterday. Of these, 109 are receiving treatment in intensive care units, up one from yesterday.
Dr Holohan added: "As we move closer to Christmas, we must try to reduce the number of people we meet, avoid crowds and work from home unless it is essential to attend in person."
He also encouraged "anyone eligible for a booster vaccination to take that opportunity."
Mood in Government Buildings described as calm after coalition party leaders conclude "constructive discussion" with members of NPHET on the prevalence of omicron here.
— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) December 14, 2021
The leaders of the three Government parties met Dr Holohan this evening for an update on the Omicron variant in what was described as a "routine briefing" where the mood was said to be "calm".
The meeting was described as "constructive".
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There is a sense among some in Government that the National Public Health Emergency Team could recommend further restrictions before Christmas.
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 14, 2021
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said people need to be conscious of the threat posed by the Omicron variant and he appealed to the public to "hold their collective nerve" | https://t.co/bNzNFUbnSM pic.twitter.com/NljzN2BFFj
Earlier, the Taoiseach said the Government needs everyone on board with "all hands on deck" in relation to the booster roll-out, as the new Omicron variant is of "serious concern".
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is understood to have emphasised to the Health Service Executive the importance of ensuring that an updated plan can deliver many more boosters during the remaining weeks of December and into early 2022.
Just a short time ago the booster and vaccination plan was aiming to deliver a quarter of a million doses every week from January onwards.
But the Omicron variant has sparked a need to dramatically alter this plan and the minister wants it to be far more ambitious.
Minister Donnelly has spoken directly with GP and pharmacy representatives urging them to participate in a national effort to administer more boosters.
He has also requested the HSE to begin arranging the vaccination of children aged 5-11 years.
It is understood that a plan to have more walk-in capacity available at vaccination centres is being examined.
This is likely to focus on periods of the day when centres are typically quieter.
There are indications though that the booster vaccination slots for the over-40s will not open until next week.
This is because a large number of people aged in their 50s and 60s are now eligible for a booster, after the five-month gap between the second and third vaccine doses was cut to three months.
Speaking on his way into a Cabinet meeting this morning, the Taoiseach said people's behaviour is having an impact on stabilising hospital numbers.
This afternoon, he said the vaccination programme will be extended further through HSE vaccination centres, GPs and pharmacies.
Mr Martin told the Dáil that extending the hours of vaccination centres was among the measures that would help vaccinate as many people as possible quickly.
He said there is no issue with Moderna vaccines and he received this vaccine himself last Friday after he "waited in line" and where the "mood was good".
'The way people have adjusted behaviour has impacted on stablising hospital numbers,' Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD says, adding 'people deserve credit for that'. He says the Government focus is on the #Covid19 vaccine booster campaign | https://t.co/r5orCuCPzF pic.twitter.com/VzRVt2qQnW
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 14, 2021
The Taoiseach also told the Dáil that Covid-19 certs or records of vaccination will have to be updated to include booster doses.
However, Mr Martin said it would be unfair "at this stage of the booster campaign" to differentiate between those who have received a third dose and those who have not.
At the moment, he said, the focus and energy of the health service and Department of Health is on maximising the administration of third doses, but added: "There will have to be records."
Mr Martin was responding to Fine Gael TD, Richard Bruton who said that "from tomorrow, France will require people over a certain age to have three doses before they participate in certain activity".
Concern expressed for under 50s who received Janssen vaccine
During Leaders' Questions, the co-leader of the Social Democrats asked if limits on age cohorts could be loosened.
Róisín Shortall expressed worry about those aged under 50 who received the one-shot Janssen vaccine and she called for a substantial ramping up of the booster campaign.
In response, the Taoiseach told her that conversations continue with the Irish Medical Organisation and pharmacies and that the army's participation in the rollout may be increased.
Mr Martin said that an extensive recruitment campaign is under way. "All are welcome, we want them to join," he said.
He also said that the sequencing of age groups made sense, as the most vulnerable should receive their booster first and he expects that those aged 40 to 49 years will be eligible for a booster shortly.
Meanwhile, the number of cases of Covid-19 in hospitals has fallen below 500 to 492, which represents a reduction of 26 cases compared to yesterday.
This is the lowest number in hospital since 7 November. The number of patients currently in intensive care stands at 108.
'It really is all hands on deck to get as many people boosted as quickly as possible,' Minister for Health @DonnellyStephen says. The Government is looking at measures including increasing the role of GPs and pharmacists in the #Covid19 vaccine rollout | https://t.co/r5orCuCPzF pic.twitter.com/5HOrgBwCjk
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 14, 2021
The Sinn Féin leader has said the Government's management of the booster vaccination lacks leadership and preparation.
Mary Lou McDonald said the Taoiseach's call for "all hands on deck" should have happened two months ago.
The Dublin Central TD said problems with the appointment system led to some people receiving between five and nine booster appointments.
In a statement last night, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the figure had increased from less than 1% only one week ago.
The Department of Health last night announced that eight more cases of the new variant have been detected in Ireland, taking the total to 18.
Dr Holohan said: "While evidence on disease severity and immune escape is still emerging, it is clear this variant is more transmissible.
"We are hoping for the best while preparing for the worst."
Additional reporting: Mícheál Lehane, Paul Cunningham, Fergal Bowers, Mary Regan
