The Taoiseach says a second lockdown "may not be a short one" if it's brought in to control the spread of Covid 19.
Michael Martin hasn't ruled out moving the country to Level 4 restrictions in the coming week - but says it'd be "very severe and create a lot of damage".
Earlier, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar suggested a short, hard lockdown - known as a circuit breaker - "may well be needed" in response to the rising number of cases.
Taoiseach Michael Martin hopes a move to Level 4 can be avoided.
