Jack Horgan-Jones

Jack Horgan-Jones

Jack Horgan-Jones is a political reporter with The Irish Times

The negotiations could cover areas such as pay, economic and taxation policy and issues such as housing and childcare. Photograph: iStock
Pay agreement covering housing and childcare proposed in industrial talks

Such an agreement could trade pay restraint from unions for tax cuts and better services

Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, will lead the Government side in negotiations. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Public pay talks: The battles that lie ahead

Engagement between unions and Government officials set to ‘intensify’ next week

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said Brexit is ‘not a passing storm’ and was more like climate change. Photograph: iStock
‘Political climate change’ of Brexit will go on forever, Varadkar says

Tánaiste tells Fine Gael TDs and Senators that NMH paused helped to reassure people

In a series of posts on Twitter Josepha Madigan said she felt she had to use powers available to her to try and ensure ‘every child gets the supports they need and access to a school placement’.
Schools may be forced to open places for special needs children – Madigan

‘No other option’ but to take ‘substantive action’, says Minister of State for Special Education

It is now expected that between 31,000 and 33,000 people will have sought accommodation in the State by the end of June. Photograph: Omar Marques
Flow of Ukrainian refugees picks up after decline over Easter, Cabinet hears

Total number of arrivals 30,343 with of 21,277 having seeking State accommodation

Dublin Central Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan indicated that she will vote with the Opposition.
Green TD Neasa Hourigan set to vote against Government on NMH

Coalition TD says she wants to ‘formally register objection’ in wake of Cabinet approval

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. Photograph: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos
Twitter suspends 300 accounts after surge of activity on Donnelly NMH post

Fianna Fáil and the Department of Health asked social media firm to investigate mass retweeting

Vice-president of the European Commission Maroš Šefcovic: EU has “significant concerns” about the UK’s intention to introduce legislation to change the Northern Ireland protocol Photograph: John Thys/Pool/EPA
EU has ‘significant concerns’ about UK’s intention to changes to NI protocol

Tánaiste says EU’s flexibility not reciprocated and ‘is breeding mistrust in EU capitals’

Hundreds of people attended a rally on Saturday outside Leinster House demanding full public ownership of the new National Maternity Hospital. Photograph: Tom Honan
Maternity hospital deal may require clarification of ‘clinically appropriate’

Cabinet approval for deal could be granted conditionally on Tuesday, senior source says

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney: ‘I believe there are solutions we could pursue and we can agree relatively quickly.’ Photograph: Rebecca Black/PA Wire
EU will retaliate to any unilateral action on Northern Ireland protocol, Coveney warns

Minister urges ‘partnership and dialogue’ ahead of Boris Johnson’s Belfast visit

Thomas Byrne, who is Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East, said he did not think that Cabinet would seek to remove the language, which has been the source of controversy. Photograph: Alan Betson
Minister has ‘absolute certainty’ all procedures to be permitted in new NMH

Language in new hospital documents subject to recent scrutiny over potential influence of Church

Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the National Famine Commemoration in Strokestown Park, Co Roscommon, on Sunday. Photograph: Andrew Downes/PA Wire
Martin urges ‘real and professional’ engagement by British on NI protocol

Taoiseach to meet Michelle O’Neill ahead of Boris Johnson bid to restore power-sharing at Stormont

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said he was “keen to capture as much scientific expertise and fresh thinking from as broad a cross-section as I can, while keeping the group manageably small”. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Donnelly clashed with Watt and Holohan over make-up of group to succeed Nphet

Disagreements centred on terms of reference and membership, documents show

Former senator Donie Cassidy was acquitted of charges relating to the organisation of the dinner in Clifden. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Oireachtas Golf Society events to return for first time since ‘golfgate’

Members acquitted of charges relating to organisation of the dinner amid Covid restrictions

A woman and a child fleeing Ukraine walk towards a bus after crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border. Photograph: Omar Marques
Cabinet subcommittee to discuss €400 monthly payment for hosting Ukrainians

Payment, accommodation and refugee education on agenda as Coalition leaders meet

Boat owners can choose to tie-up for two calendar months, freeing up additional quota for those vessels continuing to fish. Photograph: iStock
Coastal communities to get €45m in Brexit funds for seafood processing

Fishers to be offered payments tie-up trawlers for two months

Finland’s president Sauli Niinisto speaks during a joint press conference with British prime minister Boris Johnson at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on Wednesday. Photograph: Mauri Ratilainen/ EPA
Ukraine war poses profound strategic questions for Ireland and Europe

Inside Politics: Russian invasion is permanently changing face of European security

The Department of Health an official says, is ‘a Department that doesn’t have any time to be strategic’. File photograph: Bryan James Brophy/The Irish Times
HSE and Department of Health exodus not just down to Covid

Analysis: Department seen as most pressured and politically charged in civil service

DUP leaderJeffrey Donaldson: ‘We will make a decision as to how we proceed’. Photograph: James Manning/PA Wire
No guarantee DUP will elect new speaker, Jeffrey Donaldson says

Simon Coveney is in Belfast meeting political leaders following last week’s elections

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is before the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday morning, where he must put on a performance. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
Political temperature over future of National Maternity Hospital rising

Government on the defensive in a polarising and volatile situation

Minister Michael McGrath said the scheme was needed to mitigate the risk of “significant losses” and to protect projects already in construction.
Government to pay up to 70% of builders’ inflation-related construction costs

Plans for scheme brought to Government by Minister for Public Expenditure

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn will resign effective May 31st 2022. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Dr Ronan Glynn resigns as deputy chief medical officer

Glynn resignation follows in the footsteps of outgoing CMO Dr Tony Holohan

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson attends a press conference at the Parliament buildings, in Stormont, Belfast, on May 9th, 2022. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images
Northern Ireland deadlock: We could be in for a slow bicycle race

Inside Politics: If election was seismic, aftershocks may not register on Richter scale

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe may bring a proposal to extend the lower rate to cabinet as soon as Tuesday. Photograph: Alan Betson
Special 9% VAT rate for hospitality set to be extended

Extension of measure introduced during pandemic expected to cost up to €250m

According to CSO figures, 2.4 per cent of the over 65s and 10 per cent of people between 50 and 54 are renting from private landlords. Photograph: iStock
Private rental model will see number of older homeless people increase - Alone

Older person’s support group to tell Oireachtas committee 20.5% of people they support have housing issues

The proposed New National Maternity Hospital at St Vincent’s University Hospital Elm Park.
Green Ministers urged to stall National Maternity Hospital plans

Party colleagues pen letter calling on Cabinet members to ‘delay the sign off of proposal’

Robert Watt, secretary general at the Department of Health, is to appear before an Oireachtas committee. Photograph: Collins
Watt to express ‘regret’ at Holohan secondment not proceeding

Secretary general and chief medical officer to appear before Oireachtas committee

A Covid patient in ICU at St Vincent’s University Hospital in 2020. Photograph: Alan Betson
Covid front-line staff felt ‘forgotten and abandoned by the HSE’

Confusion, infection and distress dominate a stark picture painted by 400 respondents

The Citywest Hotel in Saggart, Co Dublin.
FF Ardfheis moved from Citywest hotel as deal to house refugees imminent

Largest hotel in the State set to be leased by Government for Ukrainian refugees

‘Covid-19 was not a potential threat. It was an existential threat.’
Behind Ireland’s Covid response: ‘We were going to be building morgues for people’

Key Irish figures recall the fear and uncertainty of the pandemic’s early days

People staying at the Holiday Inn Dublin Airport were told on Thursday they were being moved to self-catering accommodation in Youghal on Friday. File photograph: Darek Delmanowicz/EPA
Short-notice relocation of 60 Ukrainians from Dublin to east Cork criticised

Giving refugees less than day’s notice ‘insensitive’ given war experience, says group

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney: ‘Some member states have proposed that assets frozen in the context of the situation in Ukraine could be seized, and used for purposes including the rebuilding of Ukraine.’ Photograph: Michael M Santiago
Russian assets could be seized and used to rebuild Ukraine, Coveney says

State has frozen €1.2bn and Opposition calls for this to be spent on refugees’ needs

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen insists Russia has “failed once again in its attempt to sow division among member states”. Photograph: Kenzo Tribouillard
Gas prices soar as Russia cuts supply to Poland and Bulgaria

Moscow’s move seen as warning it may stop flow to countries such as Germany

The Minister for Health expressed concern ‘about the length of time people are having to wait’. File photograph: Getty
Limerick hospital capacity sparks Donnelly’s ‘expert team’ request

Overcrowding last week marked by records for the number of patients waiting on trollies

Oireachtas finance committee chairman John McGuinness (FF) said there had been a ‘determined effort by Government’ to cloud the issues surrounding the Holohan appointment. File photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
Oireachtas group’s chief critical of Taoiseach around Watt testimony

Allegation of ‘misleading commentary’ put to Dáil over bid to secure mandarin’s appearance

Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt has appealed for committees to carry out their business “without unnecessary and distracting personal commentary”. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Robert Watt and Tony Holohan to go before health committee next week

Finance committee to seek new powers to compel witnesses after secretary general said he would not appear

A community hub for refugees in south Dublin. Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien brought a memo to Cabinet outlining plans to provide longer-term accommodation of refugees from Ukraine. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Temporary housing for Ukrainian refugees may be needed for up to three years

Each council could be mandated to develop a significant housing centre in their area

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien brought a memo to Cabinet outlining plans to provide longer-term accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. Photograph: Alan Betson
Meetings held with construction representatives over modular homes for refugees

Government plans response to ‘unprecedented demographic crisis’

A Ukrainian Crisis Centre Ireland protest in Dublin on Friday by Ukrainians who recently arrived in Ireland and members of the Irish Ukrainian community against the targeting of the civilian population in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photograph: Alan Betson
New Cabinet subcommittee to oversee State response to Ukraine crisis

Group to be modelled after similar committee set up to monitor Covid-19 response

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was important to protect people’s rights in rural Ireland when it came to turf.
Ryan feels full force of Fianna Fáil anger over turf ban

Robust meeting with Green Party leader calms risk of Coalition rift

Government Chief Whip Jack Chambers will present 34 Bills to Cabinet. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos
Maternity leave for local politicians one of 34 new laws on Cabinet agenda

Raft of new legislation includes establishment of gambling regulator and PIAB reform

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien will tell Cabinet that some 100 buildings of more than 500 included in an initial trawl of potential venues indicate they could be converted into use as housing for refugees within three months. Photograph: Alan Betson
Builders to be able to use extended hours to ramp up housing output

Government considering plans in light of Ukraine and housing crises

Robert Watt, secretary general at the Department of Health. Photograph: Collins
Robert Watt criticised over ‘lack of engagement’ on Holohan secondment

Finance committee asks top civil servant for documents relating to TCD appointment

Cost crisis may cause unproductive cows to be culled early and sold before they are fully fattened due to high meal prices, Teagasc says. Photograph: iStock
Energy and fertiliser price rise likely to cause long-term issues for farmers, Teagasc says

Agriculture authority outlined farming challenges to food security committee

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan at Government Buildings
Ministerial reshuffle: Who is in the firing line and who can expect a promotion?

Martin set to get his choice of cabinet posts while botched secondment could have repercussions for Donnelly

Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the group of NGOs that the recommendations were under active consideration, and they will meet again in three weeks. Photograph: Julien Behal
Reliance on volunteers to house Ukrainian refugees unsustainable, Taoiseach told

NGOs submit proposals to improve collaboration and co-ordination of response

Ukrainian refugees arrive at the international airport of Bordeaux from Moldova on Thursday. Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP via Getty
Monthly payment of €400 being considered for hosting Ukrainians

Taoiseach asks senior Ministers to bring forward options on how to support hosts

People fleeing Mariupol meet relatives and friends as they arrive in a small convoy after the opening of a humanitarian corridor. Photograph: Getty
Russia accused of burying thousands of civilians in mass grave

Mariupol dead the victims of war crimes, says Ukraine as US pledges more weapons

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: ‘The Governmentn has and will continue to listen to and engage on these with our European Union partners and with the United Kingdom government to find agreed resolutions.’ Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Taoiseach concerned over NI Assembly and North-South council

Brexit issues ‘further strained politics in North’ and ‘complicated’ relationships

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Russian president Vladimir Putin sees migration as a ‘weapon’ to create pressure on European countries. Photograph: Alan Betson
Payment for people housing Ukrainian refugees being examined, Taoiseach says

State not looking at capping number of refugees coming into Ireland, Martin says

Taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke of the pressures posed by the arrival of refugees into Ireland. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos
More than 50% of accommodation pledges fail to materialise

Cabinet told up to 33,000 Ukrainian refugees could be seeking shelter by end of May

Ukrainian refugees are due to start being accommodated at Millstreet Arena in Co Cork from Wednesday evening. Photograph: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Ukrainian refugees being accommodated at Millstreet Arena

Up to 70 people sent to emergency facility in Co Cork due to hotel bed shortage

Speaking about the Ukrainian crisis, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said ‘sovereign European democracy is being subjected to the most horrific and violent assault’. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos
Ukrainian refugees: Hotels run out of space as Cork emergency accommodation to be used

Cork facility to house refugees on short-term basis, Cabinet to be told

Parents of children up to the age of 12 and carers will be able to take five days of unpaid leave a year, per employee, on top of existing entitlements. Photograph: iStock
Parents to receive 5 days leave to look after unwell children

Carers will also be entitled to annual unpaid leave under plans to be brought to Cabinet

Dr Tony Holohan had been due to take up a role as professor of public health strategy and leadership at Trinity College Dublin in July. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Top civil servant aware of Holohan move in October

CMO flagged intention to step down to secretary general of Department of the Taoiseach

Dr Tony Holohan: It is hard to find anyone in the political system who objects to the concept of Holohan heading up research on pandemic preparedness, but it is also hard to find someone who does not have a problem with how it was handled. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Holohan appointment risks damage to all parties

Ministers cry foul as Government under pressure over salary and secondment status

A Ukrainian policeman bends over bodies covered with tarpaulin after a rocket attack at a train station in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, that was being used for civilian evacuations. Photograph: Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
At least 50 killed in rocket attack on fleeing refugees at Ukraine train station

Children among the dead as western leaders condemn the strike as an atrocity and a war crime

Dr Tony Holohan announced last month he was stepping down from his position as chief medical officer to take on the new role at Trinity College Dublin. Photograph: The Irish Times
Taoiseach calls for ‘pause’ ahead of report on Holohan secondment

Varadkar says he had ‘assumed’ CMO applied for professor role in Trinity College Dublin

Ministers were told that at any one time 90% of the accommodation available to the State was taken up. Photograph: Getty Images
Extra 5,000 beds will be needed for Ukrainian refugees by Easter, Cabinet told

Government tempers expectations that many refugees could be housed in Fair Deal homes

Carbon tax described as ‘lightning rod’ issue at private Fine Gael meeting

Accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in Gormanstown, Millstreet and City West fully in use by Easter, meeting hears

John Callinan was announced this week as the next holder of the €215,000 role at the peak of the civil service.
Oireachtas finance committee stops short of calling in John Callinan

Manner of appointment of Callinan to top civil servant role criticised by politicians

The Priory Hall apartment complex in 2012 after residents had been evacuated. Work at the complex to address fire safety issues was expected to cost around €50 million. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Cost of addressing fire safety defects in apartments put at €17,000 per unit

Amount could double when other issues exist, according to Government working group

Video footage from the Dáil chamber shows the People Before Profit TDs stood, but did not applaud. Photograph: Maxwells/PA Wire
People Before Profit TDs defend decision not to clap for Zelenskiy Oireachtas address

TDs Paul Murphy, Richard Boyd Barrett, Gino Kenny and Bríd Smith did not applaud

The Citywest Hotel in Saggart, Co Dublin.
Ukrainian refugees expected to be housed in Dublin’s Citywest hotel for up to two years

Advanced negotiations underway between Government and owners of Ireland's largest hotel

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the Government was working to find ways to ensure nobody is left worse off when carbon tax increases kick-in next month. Photograph: Alan Betson
Carbon tax rise to be offset to stop households facing extra costs, Taoiseach says

Tánaiste notes changes to healthcare, childcare, transport and housing costs as possible solutions

The impetus for the scheme came during the lockdown period of the pandemic where many artists struggled because they were unable to work, sell their art, or to perform
Artists to get €325 a week for three years under Government plan

Basic Income for Arts pilot scheme will see 2,000 people chosen at random for stipend

A file image from 2020 of Anne O’Connor speaking at the HSE media briefing on Covid-19. Photograph: Alan Betson
Senior HSE executive resigns and takes role with VHI

Anne O’Connor was tasked with planning the HSE’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he would bring a package of measures to Government next week to help with the cost of living. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
Take shorter showers and drive less to cut costs, Ryan to suggest

Green leader to offer Cabinet proposals aimed at offsetting cost-of-living surge

Bodies were discovered strewn across streets in Bucha in the wake of a pullback by Kremlin troops. Photograph: Ivor Prickett/The New York Times
Russia accused of ‘massacre of civilians’ after bodies found in Bucha

European leaders vow to support efforts to prosecute possible war crimes

Russian ambassador Yuriy Filatov is to be invited to attend Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s address to the joint Houses of the Oireachtas
Russian ambassador to be invited to attend Zelenskiy address to Dáil

Ukrainian president to speak to joint Houses of the Oireachtas on Wednesday

Secretary general of the Department of Health Robert Watt had been secretly recorded earlier this year discussing the HSE’s budget and implementation of the reform plan, the Business Post reported. Photograph: Collins
Call for Watt to explain Sláintecare comments imminent after recording released

Department of Health official 'worried' about regionalisation process, report says

Mr Ryan indicated that the next round of supports would be targeted in the first instance at those vulnerable to fuel poverty
Green Party wants to examine heavier taxation of SUV-style vehicles in Budget 2023

Government looking at measures to help people with rise in energy bills – Eamon Ryan

Ukrainian servicemen check the bodies of civilians for booby traps in the formerly Russian-occupied Kyiv suburb of Bucha, Ukraine. Photograph: Vadim Ghirda/AP
‘No impunity’ for Russia, says Coveney, as mass graves and bodies found on streets of Ukraine

Irish embassy in Moscow to be used to ‘express our outrage’ to Russia, Ryan says

Minister for the Environment and Transport Eamon Ryan pictured at the SEAI Energy Show at the RDS on Thursday.
‘We need to do more’: Ryan promises new proposals on cost of living

Proposals around time-of-day-pricing, fuel allowance and ‘helping families with children’

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said Ireland needs to look at ‘our overall energy policy’. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Irish energy policy: McEntee says nothing should be ‘off the table’

‘We need to look at the targets that we’ve set and how can we change and amend’

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the new body will be required to issue a statement outlining its commitment to diversity. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
Judges selection process may be reviewed if no diversity among candidates – McEntee

Minister to ensure new Judicial Appointments Commission is reflective of society

Pensions policy remains such a politically volatile area that even amid the praise for the new auto-enrolment scheme, there is risk. Photograph: iStock
The quintessential ‘tomorrow’s problem’ of pensions policy is addressed

Inside Politics: Idea of sorting out auto-enrolment option has been mooted for decades

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said it was anticipated that fees charged would ultimately come in below the 0.5 per cent cap
Fees for new auto-enrolment State pensions criticised

Scheme is too generous to pension funds, critics claim

Refugees fleeing Ukraine earlier in the month. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty
Cost of housing Ukrainian refugees ‘creates challenges’ in budget, says Martin

Taoiseach signals ‘targeted approach’ to increasing vaccine take-up among refugees

The environmental levies on the single use items will be ringfenced and put into a circular economy fund. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Single-use coffee cups to be hit with 20c levy ‘later this year’

Circular economy legislation will also promote use of CCTV to combat fly tipping

Protesters stand outside the Russian embassy in Dublin with Ukrainian flags following the news that four senior officials were asked to leave the State. Photograph: Damien Storan/PA
Diplomat expulsions overshadow major pension and Leaving Cert reforms

Inside Politics: Russian embassy expulsions followed weeks-long backbench campaign

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told a private meeting Ireland had the lowest level of consultants per capita, and the lowest ratio of beds per head of population, anywhere in Europe. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
Stephen Donnelly criticises underinvestment in health by Fine Gael before he took over

Minister for Health told meeting waiting lists were longest in Europe and of ‘worsening and worsening’ trolley crises

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the new scheme will begin auto-enrolling people in January 2024. Photograph: Collins
Auto-enrolment pension for private sector workers to cost €3bn over 10 years

About 750,000 private sector workers will be automatically signed up to the scheme

Ukrainian refugees cross the border into Palanca, Moldova, on March 16th. Photograph: Mauricio Lima/The New York Times
Irish politicians to visit Moldova to study influx of refugees

Delegation will seek to learn how other countries are providing humanitarian services

Organisations are unable to take on more borrowing to fund their role in meeting accommodation targets. Photograph: iStock
Level of debt taken on by Approved Housing Bodies too high, Oireachtas will hear

The sector is being asked to deliver 21,500 homes by the end of the decade

Olga Kiseleva protests outside the Russian embassy in Dublin at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions organised Stand with Ukraine rally last week. Photograph: Laura Hutton
The mind-boggling costs for Ireland of the crisis in Ukraine

Inside Politics: There is a growing sense that not everything can be solved by unconstrained Government intervention

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly: ‘Extremely restrictive’ measures would be needed to contain highly transmissible BA.2 subvariant. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Ireland likely experiencing several hundred thousand Covid-19 cases per week, says Donnelly

No plans to reimpose measures as numbers in hospital with virus set to top 2,200

Ukrainian refugees on a bus after it crossed the Ukrainian border into Poland at the Medyka border crossing. Photograph: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP
Ireland’s humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees likely to be €2.8bn next year

Cost is expected to ‘ramp up significantly’ this year as more arrivals follow the initial cohort of 10,000 refugees

Around 750,000 employees between the age of 23 and 60 who earn over €20,000 and are not already in an occupational pensions scheme will be automatically enrolled. Photograph: iStock
New State pensions auto-enrolment plan will see higher rates phased in over 10 years

Cabinet also set to approve a €10m package of supports for tour operators and travel agents

Paul Reid: ‘We need to turn this tide again asap and repeat doing the basics. Please wear your mask appropriately, come forward for your booster or primary vaccine and isolate if [you have] symptoms.’ Photograph: Alan Betson
Covid-19: Containing BA.2 variant would need ‘extreme measures’, Donnelly says

Emergency department taskforce asks Minister for urgent fresh public health advice

Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer. Photograph: Crispin Rodwell
Holohan to step down from position as chief medical officer

Former Nphet chairman ‘kept Ireland safe during exceptionally challenging two years’

Micheál Martin said Dr Holohan had ‘undoubtedly helped save lives, and kept Ireland safe during an exceptionally challenging two years’.
Holohan to step down to take position at Trinity College

Chief Medical Officer will remain in situ until July

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney had been delivering a speech on ‘building common ground’ at an event organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation in Belfast when the security alert happened.
‘Suspect device’ discovery following van hijacking halts speech by Simon Coveney in Belfast

Minister forced to leave stage at event in city after and device placed inside vehicle

A further 23,125 Covid-19 cases were reported by the Department of Health on Thursday. Photograph: iStock
Covid: HSE warns of threat to waiting lists as hospitals under increased pressure

Targets set likely to be endangered as elective care cancelled, says Dr Colm Henry

Since March 8th, there have been 241,954 cases of Covid notified through either PCR or antigen testing
How will Ireland face new phase of Covid post-Nphet?

Virus has become a particularly troublesome headache for the healthcare system

In a letter sent to Chief Executives of Hospital groups, Mr Reid said there was now a need for a 14 day period of “prioritisation of unscheduled Covid-19 care and urgent time-sensitive work”.
Hospitals told in letter from Reid to focus on Covid care for coming fortnight

Previous notices to hospitals have come during surges that prompted restrictions

Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer HSE: ‘Just because the [mask] mandate was removed at the end of February doesn’t mean people don’t have to wear them.’ Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
Covid: Record daily number of hospital admissions set in past 24 hours

Health system under ‘severe pressure’ due to surge in cases, says HSE chief clinical officer

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis met under the auspices of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Farmleigh House in Dublin. Photograph: PA
No Border checks for non-Irish entering NI, says Brandon Lewis

Coveney says proposed immigration changes not yet finalised as far as Dublin is concerned

Screengrab from video issued by The White House of the meeting between Micheál Martin and US president Joe Biden, which took place via videolink last week after the Taoiseach tested positive for Covid. Photograph: The White House/PA Wire
Martin to attend EU summit as he exits Covid quarantine

Taoiseach has two successive negative Covid tests ahead of departure from the US

Paul Reid has called on those who have not received a booster to do so now. Photograph: PA
Covid-19: New advice group to replace Nphet ‘imminent’ with nearly 1,400 cases in hospital

More than 21,000 cases of virus reported today and nine further deaths in past week

More articles