The number of patients in hospital with Covid-19 has surpassed 1,000 for the first time in almost two months.
There are currently 1,042 people with the virus and 41 in ICU. That compares with just over 600 patients in hospital at the end of February.
Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer has described the figures as "concerning".
He says the facemask mandate should be reviewed ahead of St Patrick's Day;
"There who are immuno-suppressed, the eldery, those in nursing homes, those who are vulnerable that need to be supported. I just think that it would make sense that if we looked and reviewed the whole mask-wearing argument and suggestion from government would be stronger than what it is at the moment."
