Updated: 17.30

MINISTER EAMON RYAN has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a Government spokesperson. 

The Green Party leader is self-isolating at home and is following all HSE protocols, the press statement said.

“Minister Ryan attended Cabinet remotely on Friday, so members of the Cabinet are not close contacts,” the statement added, and Ryan has advised the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Secretary to the Government of his positive result.

It comes as the Taoiseach has said there are “no plans” at present for a December 30 meeting with NPHET to decide on new public health measures. 

Their next meeting will instead be on January 6. 

“There are no plans for a December 30 meeting, no nuclear buttons,” a spokesperson for Michéal Martin told The Journal.

Martin and Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan spoke this morning and agreed “to keep monitoring the situation”. 

“There are no guarantees, and they will keep monitoring the situation, but they are heartened with booster progress,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile public health officials confirmed that the Omicron variant is now estimated to make up 52% of Ireland’s confirmed cases.

They also confirmed 5,124 new cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, with 436 people in hospital with the virus, and 107 in intensive care, as of 8am today.