Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said tighter restrictions in border counties might be introduced, depending on any decision announced by the Northern Ireland Executive later today.
Northern Ireland is set for a period of intensified coronavirus restrictions after executive ministers agreed to closures of schools, pubs and restaurants.
Mr Varadkar said: “We will hear what happens in Northern Ireland this morning and then we will see if we need to respond to that, particularly in relation to the bounder counties.
“Nphet will meet on Thursday then we will consider their advice after that and make further decisions at that point.
“The main reason as to why restrictions might be tightened in border counties is not just what is happening in the north, it’s the incidence rate as well which is the highest in the country.
“We will need to respond to what happens as best we can, we tried to co-ordinate with Northern Ireland but the Northern Ireland Executive hasn’t agreed to an all-island approach.”
The Republic's Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has refused to rule out a move to Level 4 for border counties.
Speaking at a post-budget press conference, Mr Donnelly said there is an "ongoing conversation" with Nphet as to the possibility of new restrictions.
Nphet is due to meet tomorrow to discuss the latest figures but speculation persists that a decision could be taken before then.
It follows a move in Northern Ireland to close schools, pubs and restaurants as part of new lockdown measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Counties such as Donegal and Monaghan could be moved to Level 4, with Mr Donnelly admitting that the "situation is of concern" in the region.
However, Mr Donnelly said that schools in the Republic will remain open.
