The HSE says Ireland's hospitals can start doing some non-urgent surgeries after they were stopped to prepare for the pandemic.
Twelve more Covid-19 patients have died and 236 more people have tested positive - bringing the total confirmed cases in the Republic to nearly 23-thousand
The death toll here is now 1,458.
Cardiology and cancer procedures will be the priority as surgeons go back to work.
Consultant oncologist John Crown says the pandemic has made the issue of Ireland's lengthy waiting lists far more pressing.
'The pre-crisis situation is one that really did need addressing and reform and that need for reform has not gone away'.
