Six more deaths from Covid-19, 39 additional cases

Six more people with Covid-19 have died in Ireland, bringing the overall death toll to 1,645.

A further 39 cases of the coronavirus have also been diagnosed in the Republic, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 24,876.

This evening, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the timeline on lifting restrictions was an "appropriate, risk-based reintroduction of economic and social activity" but it was not a "rigid structure" and was subject to change.

He said that while the 5 kilometre exercise limit may be expanded in the next phase, the message is still to "stay at home".

Meanwhile, employers' group Ibec has asked the Government to bring forward the phases of reopening of the economy, scrap the quarantine restrictions for people entering the country and reduce the two-metre social distancing rule to one-metre.

Earlier today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Ireland is "on track" to move to Phase Two of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions on Monday 8 June.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Mr Varadkar said the issue would be discussed by ministers again next week.

He said it was "reassuring" to see the coronavirus numbers going in the "right direction".

"It takes at least two weeks to know if the actions to ease restrictions are having an effect. It will be next week before we can determine whether we can move to Phase Two."