The head of the HSE has refuted claims that the country's covid-19 testing and tracing system is "falling apart."
Paul Reid has admitted there has been a strain on turnaround times but says the process now takes a median time of 2.3 days to complete.
Earlier this week, Trinity College Immunology Professor Tomás Ryan said the system was not fast enough and believed it was falling apart.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid insists that they are meeting the current demand:
He said: "Such alarmist comments - which is what they are - may get attention, but they are not borne out by the facts. In my view, they are hugely unhelpful. We want people to come forward for testing, and demonstrate that the testing system is meeting demand - which is what it did last week."
Paul Reid has also expressed concern at the significant rise in the number of close contacts people are having.
He warned that some people who have contracted Covid-19 are reporting up to 50 contacts.
