Acting Minister for Health Simon Harris has responded to criticism after he called for the Ireland V Italy Six Nations Rugby clash, due to take place in Dublin on March 7th, to be called off.

The decision was made following a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team. It's also urging anyone who has returned from Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran, Singapore and parts of northern Italy and is displaying symptoms to self-isolate and contact their GP.

Ten people have died from the virus in Italy, with Irish people who've returned from the northern areas being urged to self-isolate if displaying symptoms.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education's urging any students or staff with concerns over Covid-19 to contact public health doctors.

Many schools who had ski trips to northern Italy over the mid-term struggled to get advice from authorities today.

The Department of Health is also urging people who returning from an area where there has been an outbreak, to self-isolate if they experience any symptoms.

It has also set up a special group that will liaise with organisers of large events, after recommending that the Ireland/Italy match be cancelled.

The Acting Health Minister speak to Dermot & Dave this morning, just hours before his meeting with the IRFU where a final decision is expected to be made about the upcoming Six Nations game.