Michéal Martin says country is on track for widespread easing of restrictions

The Taoiseach insists the country remains 'on track' for the widespread easing of restrictions in the coming weeks.

Nationwide travel will be allowed from next Monday, while all retail outlets can fully reopen seven days later. 

Micheál Martin also told his parliamentary party last night he wants to restore international travel as soon as it's safe to do so. 

418 new cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday and seven deaths. 

Dr David Nabarro, from the World Health Organisation, is warning of a spike in cases as restrictions ease here. 

"I've got a graph in front of me showing what's happened in India and countries in that region, and they were super low in February, and then suddenly they've got the most incredible spike in disease.

"Watch that, because that could happen to us if we're not careful.

"I would like to align myself with all of those in Ireland who say we have to do even better in the coming weeks."