A simulation exercise on the management of the admission of a patient with suspected Ebola to the National Isolation Unit at the Mater Hospital has been described a "seamless."

The exercise was carried out today involving the gardaí and the emergency services.

The hospital said the exercise was a success, and has been of significant assistance to the ongoing preparation of the National Isolation Unit at the Mater to manage any potential infectious diseases cases.

In a statement, the hospital said "The integration of the services involving the Mater Hospital, the HSE ambulance services, Dublin Fire Brigade ambulances and the gardaí worked seamlessly. The exercise has been of significant assistance to the ongoing preparation of the National Isolation Unit at the Mater Hospital to manage any potential infectious diseases cases."

It added that no further exercises are planned for the time being.

Earlier, the main access point to the building on Berkeley Road was cordoned off by gardaí as the fake patient was brought by ambulace to the hospital.

They were then placed in an isolation unit.

"As part of the Mater Hospital's Major Incident Planning, MMUH is conducting an exercise...involving all services that might potentially be called upon to assist with the evaluation and management of a potential admission to the National Isolation Unit," the hospital said in an earlier statment.

A woman admitted to the isolation unit last week tested negative for Ebola - and the Health Service Executive (HSE) believes the risk of the illness being brought into the country is low.

However following that incident, concerns were raised about the government's readiness for any cases of the virus. 

The test is designed to ensure that emergency and medical staff are well versed in protocol for handling Ebola.

The INMO's Dave Hughes spoke to Newstalk's Richard Chambers earlier about the simulation.

But not everyone was happy with the timing.

The Health Minister Leo Varadkar said the simulation was about being prepared.