The Minister for Health is recommending that next week's Ireland vs Italy rugby game should not go ahead due to the coronavirus outbreak in Italy.
The Department of Health is to contact the IRFU, saying the risk is too great considering the number of people who will travel from Italy for the game.
It is scheduled for March 7th at the Aviva Stadium.
The IRFU this evening said it is now seeking an urgent meeting with Simon Harris to find out the "specific reasoning" behind the call for the cancellation of the game.
The Irish Rugby organisation said: "Until such time as the IRFU has had contact with the Minister and gets an understanding of the government’s strategic policy on travel to and from Ireland and the cancellation of mass gatherings, it is not in a position to comment further."
Earlier, Minister Harris said: "The National Public Health Emergency team today was very strongly of the view that the Ireland vs Italy rugby match would be a very high-risk event.
"You would effectively be seeing a very large number of people travelling from what is now an affected region, and considering that game would be due to take place within one incubation cycle.
"On the basis of public health having to trump all else, the very clear view from a public health point of view is that that much should not proceed."
Separately, a dedicated phone line has been set up for any Irish people with concerns about the coronavirus outbreak overseas.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has opened the dedicated line after a 'high volume of calls' about COVID-19.
Officials say anyone who has specific concerns about Irish citizens currently in any affected areas can contact the Department on 01-613-1733.
Anyone who has returned from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran, Singapore or parts of northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont) and is showing any symptoms of the virus is being told to contact their GP and self-isolate.
The Department is also due to update their travel advice later.
Schools
Meanwhile, a number of Irish schools have sought advice after students returned from school ski trips to Northern Italy.
Two schools in Waterford, one in Wicklow one in Dublin all had students abroad on school ski-trips over the midterm.
Presentation College Bray says a number of its second-year students returned from a skiing trip in Italy last Friday.
It says it has postponed today's planned parent-teacher meetings as a precaution.
School management said they have spoken to the HSE several times today, and they are now waiting for an update on how to respond to the school's particular situation.
In a message to parents, the school said: "Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
"As soon as the HSE have advised us how we should proceed and what measures should be taken if any we will let you know."
One Waterford school had 40 students in the Folgaria region of Italy, while the other had 41 in Andalo in northern Italy.
It is understood one of the schools contacted local GP to seek advice and all students are deemed to be low risk.
Mount Anville secondary school in Goatstown, Dublin wrote to parents to advise any students with a compromised immune system to be kept at home.
The Department of Education this evening said public health doctors are available to liaise with schools and advise on precautions if staff or students have any concerns.
Meanwhile, three schools in Northern Ireland who also had students abroad on ski trips in northern Italy have sent some students home to self-isolate.
Italy outbreak
Italy has been one of the worst impacted countries outside China, with 'extraordinary measures' put in place in several northern regions to
Over 320 cases have been confirmed in the country, with authorities saying 10 people have now died.
Three deaths were confirmed in the northern region of Lombardy on Tuesday evening, with those who died said to have been aged in their 80s and 90s.
In Tenerife, meanwhile, a thousand hotel guests staying at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace have been confined to their rooms after an Italian doctor visiting the building tested positive for COVID-19.
Guests were informed via a note under their door this morning and were given food for the first time today at 4:30pm local time.
The DFA says Irish citizens staying in the area have contacted them and its providing consular assistance.
