Saying he shares the public’s ‘frustration’, Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces a range of restrictions on hospitality and associated financial supports. Photograph: Julien Behal /PA Government unveils new restrictions amid tensions with health officials
Ombudsman defends new powers for Gsoc replacement body 2:42 Ombudsman defends new powers for Gsoc replacement body

Donegal town dealing with mica: ‘If it was in Dublin, this would already be fixed’ Donegal town dealing with mica: ‘If it was in Dublin, this would already be fixed’

Coronavirus Pandemic

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Ian Redmond, owner of the Tramline night club on D’Olier Street, Dublin, said the decision to close nightclubs two weeks ago at midnight was made with a view to the sector taking the hint and closing itself. Photograph: Damien Eagers/The Irish Times Government treating nightclub industry as ‘whipping boys’ of pandemic, says owner
The variant has been detected at a time when socialisation is expected to increase over the Christmas period, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan warned. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Dublin Covid-19: 5,419 new cases reported as Nphet warns of potential Omicron impact
At the start of the week the Government announced that all incoming travellers except those travelling from Northern Ireland will have to present a negative test result in order to enter the country irrespective of the vaccination status. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Delay in Covid testing system for overseas travellers ‘maddening’ – travel group
There is evidence of waning immunity in all Covid-19 vaccines six months after the final dose, a review of international research by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has found. Photograph: Alvaro Barrientos/AP Evidence of waning immunity in all Covid-19 vaccines after six months, Hiqa says
Full coverage of the threat to the global environment
 
The Big Food & Drink Quiz 2021: Answer 50 questions for a chance to win some tasty prizes

Test your knowledge of all things gastronomic in a special edition of our Food Quiz

‘It’s like a miracle’: The man who may be the first person cured of type 1 diabetes Brian Shelton in Elyria, Ohio. Shelton may be the first person cured of type 1 diabetes. Photograph: Amber N Ford/The New York Times

Brian Shelton’s life was ruled by his disease, until a new treatment gave hope to him and millions of others

Jennifer O’Connell: Parents are being gaslit into masking children Masking children is cheap, easy to implement and should help reduce transmission, but that doesn’t mean it is entirely cost-free. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Having more diverse groups involved in decision-making isn’t just about fairness, it’s about better decisions

Ventilation looms large in fractious debate on quelling coronavirus Paul Cadden, owner of Saba on Dublin’s South William Street with a component of their CO2 monitoring system. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times

Emphasis on air quality in places like Japan means fewer cases ‘in Tokyo than Rathfarnham’

Miriam Lord: Will Michael D know it’s Christmas time at all? President Michael D Higgins has previously expressed concern at a flurry of last-minute Bills. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

President could be on the Bob Cratchit shift as Government leaves its shopping late

Scheme to regularise undocumented migrants welcomed as ‘historic’ Husband and wife Jason and Phess Montinegro outisde Government Buidlings following the announcenment of a scheme to regularise long-term undocumented migrants. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins 3:33

All undocumented migrants who have spent at least four years in the State can apply

Pat Leahy: Ireland should be cultivating closer links with Taiwan The Taiwanese flag. There is definitely one way of standing up to China that will make Beijing take notice – we can seek closer relations with Taiwan. Photograph: Getty Images

Unless the Chinese government is annoyed with you, you are not really standing up for human rights there

Covid-19: Children happy to play their part on mask-wearing, professor says Parentline chief executive says that despite parents being worried, some angry, they were willing to ‘impose’ the rule on their kids if it meant keeping schools open. Photograph: iStock 2:44

Prof Pat Dolan says many have forgotten children can make their own choices

This new electric vehicle is ‘quite the blast to drive’ Melanie May: ‘Overall, the Kia EV6 makes everything for drivers easy and stress free and does so in a stylish manner’. Photograph: Conor Mulhern
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Melanie May took the Kia EV6 on a test drive and was suitably impressed. So were passersby, who may not have been able to hear it but could certainly see it

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Lack of trust leads to low vaccine uptake among eastern Europeans ESRI data show that between a third and a half of eastern Europeans living here are partly or fully vaccinated. Photograph: Laura Hutton

Getting information to the State’s immigrant communities is often far from easy

Restaurant and hotel Christmas trade dries up: ‘I had a full house and then everybody cancelled’ Cancelled bookings: ‘We have lost at least 800 covers,” says Joe Donnelly of Rascals

Restaurateurs and hoteliers are losing customers at what should be their busiest time

Man charged in Cork with murder of homeless man Ionut Cosmin Nicholescu from Romania pictured at Cork District Court where he was charged on Friday evening with murder. Photograph: Cork Courts Limited

Accused remanded in custody and will appear again next Thursday

More than 600 lines of inquiry in case of retired Garda charged over drug seizure Detective Sergeant Brian Hanley told Judge Victor Blake that he needed more time.

The retired garda was charged with possessing cannabis worth over €13,000

How to combine clean air and creativity Artist Alice Fitzgerald’s studio is at her family home, so she is very careful about air quality. Photographs: Al Higgins
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Artist Alice Fitzgerald uses a mix of pungent materials in her studio. Air quality is a priority

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