Ireland has the highest rate of Covid-19 in the European Union.
The Republic's 14-day rate is just over 500 cases per 100,000 people, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
That's just ahead of Cyprus, which has a rate of 496.
Yesterday the Department of Health confirmed a further 1,751 new cases.
Tomas Ryan, Associate Professor in Trinity College says health authorities need to examine why the rate remains so high.
"Our test, trace and isolation system was never fast enough to contain Covid-19 on its own.
"We learned that as early as July/August 2020.
"We have some of the most crowded schools in Europe, and that is going to be a problem this winter.
"We need to move away from the mantra that schools are safe - we need to move to a discussion about how we make schools safe."
