A full Cabinet meeting is being held today,  when a decision on how to exit level 5 restrictions will be made, with an announcement expected this evening.

Already we know the National Public Health Emergency Team is concerned about reopening the hospitality sector in the run up to Christmas.

But the Government is going to ignore this and reopen restaurants and pubs which serve food in December.

So what impact will opening up our country have on hospitals, and can intensive care units cope with the most serious covid 19 cases?

Dr. Catherine Motherway, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at University Hospital Limerick joined Shane Beatty on Breakfast Briefing: