Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has welcomed a "significant milestone" in the country's fight against Covid-19, as the number of people in hospital with the virus has fallen below 500.
It comes as Saturday saw hospital figures fall to the lowest level this year, with 532 patients in hospital with the virus at 8am.
The numbers have fallen even further on Sunday, with 520 patients in hospital with Covid-19 at 8am, falling to 496 by 2pm.
Read more: Covid-19 Ireland: New Omicron XE variant 10-20% more transmissible, expert says
Taking to Twitter, Mr Donnelly said: "Our Covid hospitalisations have fallen below 500, which is a significant milestone and so very welcome.
"These figures were reported at 2pm today (Sunday). All of the data is trending in the right direction. There are fewer patients with Covid being admitted to ICU, which had 40 patients with Covid as of this afternoon."
However, Irish holidaymakers are being warned that some European countries such as Spain and Portugal will have strict rules this summer.
Passengers have been advised to check the Covid measures in place in the country they wish to travel to before booking and flying to prevent being refused entry on arrival.
Read more: Spain and Portugal confirm strict travel rules for Irish tourists this summer
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