A midlands TD is criticising the government's slow approach.
The new lockdown could last until the start of March, according to the Tánaiste.
The hospitality sector will have to close while restrictions on travel and household visits are all making a return in the next week.
The government says it's in response to the alarming rise in cases in recent days - with warnings that if no action is taken, there will be 2,000 cases a day by the New Year.
The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has defended the government's decision to alter NPHET's advice from the start of December - saying it was working until the last few days:
However, Sinn Féin's Brian Stanley says, the government did not act fast enough before the last lockdown.
The Laois-Offaly TD says that it is unfortunate that the restrictions have come in at this time, but necessary for the safety of the public:
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