THE rate of growth of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland is "of grave concern" according to Micheál Martin.
During Leaders' Questions this week, the Taoiseach stressed that the situation north of the border is "very, very worrying" and that the rising infection rates were fast becoming a serious concern for the Republic.
His words follow on from images showing queues of ambulances outside hospitals in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, as pressure continues to mount on the region's health service.
Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride warned that the country was facing one of the most challenging period of the pandemic, particularly as the recent lockdown appears to have done little to slow the spread of the virus.
It's understood that hospital capacity in the region is operating at 104%.
Ireland's Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said that the Republic "will not be found wanting" if the North requires assistance in the managing of the Covid-19 crisis.
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland on Wednesday, Donnelly described the situation as "very serious".
Particularly with Christmas on the horizon, the predicament could get a lot worse, fast, with restrictions being temporarily eased to allow families to meet up and celebrate the holiday.
"We're heading into a really lax five-day relaxation over Christmas, and I just think it's madness," argued Dr Gabriel Scally, Professor of Public Health at the University of Bristol, speaking on RTE's Today with Claire Byrne.
"This is an appalling way ... to deal with the mounting death toll in the North. I'm lost for words about how badly it's being managed."
It's been suggested in the past that both Northern Ireland and the Republic unify their efforts to tackle the virus, though while plans have been considered by both governments, nothing has been put into place.
See More: Covid-19, Micheál Martin, Northern Ireland
