The Taoiseach says he was not informed by the HSE that it is asking some people to carry out their own contact tracing.
Micheal Martin says he only found out about the issue when someone text him a link to an Irish Times article last night.
Thousands of positive cases from last weekend have been asked by the health service to inform their close contacts.
It's happened due to pressure on the system.
Over the past week, more than 111,000 covid-19 tests have been carried out.
The Health Minister says he was only made aware last night that the HSE has asked some people to get in touch with their close contacts.
A spokesperson for Stephen Donnelly says the decision was made by the HSE for 'operational reasons'.
They have also added that it was a temporary measure.
