Another 34 people in the Republic have died due to coronavirus, with 221 more cases diagnosed, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed. The total number of people who have died from Covid-19 in Ireland is now 1,265.

The Taoiseach (Prime Minister) said: "Unfortunately the risk of a second wave of the virus is present. So we could only move to the next stage if the virus stays under control between each phase and there is a risk that we’d have to go back a phase if that happens. So on the 18th of May, Ireland begins to reopen and begins that journey to a new normal."

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has urged people to maintain social distancing guidelines and stay at home over the long weekend.