Rural TDs in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are revolting against the 5km travel limit

They're insisting it must be lifted on April 5th. 

They expressed frustration at the lockdown measure during parliamentary party meetings last night.

Speaking to his party, the Taoiseach acknowledged people are "fed up" but he said the country's progress remains "fragile".

A decision on whether to ease the lockdown is expected next week.

It comes as a further 683 new Covid-19 cases and 18 deaths have been confirmed.

UCC virus expert, Professor Gerry Killeen, doesn't believe easing restrictions right now is the correct call:

"We're all frustrated, and we could have all been out of this by last September, but we're not. And we just have to make some choices, there's absolutely no room for easing restrictions right now. There won't be for a little time- so the question is, do we drive this harder and faster and try to get out of it as quickly as we can."