Covid-19 Ireland Most Recent Level Five: Eamon Ryan Says ‘We Can’t Rule Anything Out’ As Government Leaders Arrive At NPHET Meeting

The three leaders of the Government party arrived to meet with the National Public Health Emergency Team to discuss the possibility of moving the country to Level 5.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan are meeting with the Ministers of Health, Finance and Public Expenditure to discuss the implications of entering a Level 5 lockdown.

Health Department Medical Director Tony Holohan as well as Deputy Medical Director Ronan Glynn and Professor Philip Nolan will also meet with TDs to explain the latest Covid trends.

The meeting follows the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team to shut down the country for six weeks, in an effort to suppress the coronavirus.

But heading into the meeting, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the government wants to listen to public health advice and not rush to make any decisions.

But he cautioned that “nothing can be ruled out” at this point.

Speaking to reporters outside the government buildings, Mr Ryan said: “Any decision must be made in the best interest of the Irish people.

“The situation is a constant concern.

“You don’t want to rush. Sometimes the right decision can take a bit of time. I don’t think we should rule anything out.”

At this time, the Cabinet will not meet this weekend to consider the matter.