The minister for Health says we would almost certainly have to repatriate any Irish person who contracted Ebola from overseas if it was in the best interests of their medical care.

However, he admitted that it would be costly exercise and would carry some risks.

Leo Varadkar says we are currently ramping up our preparations at home to deal with any potential case.

He told a Dail Committee there are 54 Irish citizens living in affected areas in West Africa and we would have to consider bringing them home should one of them be diagnosed with the deadly virus;