Image via Facebook.com/michealmartintdThe Taoiseach will address the nation at 9pm.
The Government is understood to be preparing to move to Level 5 restrictions for six weeks.
Ministers had been meeting this afternoon to consider moving the country to the highest level of restrictions.
Party leaders are believed to have approved the escalation of measures and are now consulting with their party colleagues.
That means the second lockdown would last until the start of December and it's expected the measures will take effect tomorrow midnight or Wednesday.
Level five would mean travel being limited to within 5 kilometres of your home.
It's expected schools will be allowed to stay open.
Elite sport will be allowed to be played even under level five.
A ban on evictions will be part of the new measures while a system of fines for breaches is being finalised.
The idea of social bubbles is also still on the table to allow lonely or vulnerable people to be cared for.
All non-essential retail will close and pubs and restaurants will move to takeaway only.
The measures have yet to be signed off on by the cabinet which is meeting at the moment, but it looks like a long lockdown will be announced tonight.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will address the nation this evening at 9pm.
