Images of the Day, selected by Deputy Picture Editor Laura Hutton
CHRISTMAS CEASEFIRE? Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald share some atypically merry banter at the switching on of the Oireachtas Christmas Tree lights at Leinster House in Dublin. Photograph: Alan Betson
SOMEONE LIKE ME: Ethan O'Brien and Luke McLoughlin, of The Downs National School Mullingar, as pupils and teachers from 49 primary schools gathered for the announcement of the winner of the Someone Like Me art competition, on International Day of People with Disabilities. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
BY THE NUMBERS: Social Democrats TD Roisin Shortall watches the numbers as Michael Healy Rae TD calls them out during a bingo protest outside the Dáil. Protesters say the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act, due before the Dáil on Wednesday, is inflexible, will make the game unattractive to players, and force commercial operators out of business. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
ALL SMILES: Irish chart-toppers Picture This make an appearance in Dublin city centre to promote the 2FM Xmas Ball - from left are Cliff, Jimmy, Ryan and Eoin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
DEFT SIDE-STEP: Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, dodges bags of rubbish on the pavement at North Great George's Street in Dublin before delivering an address to the Institute of International & European Affairs. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
POOLING RESOURCES: Bobby Cleary, John Gantley and Gerry Doyle, (at front, from left) among demonstrators outside the Dáil on Kildare Street, Dublin, seeking to Save Markievicz Pool, located on Townsend Street, and to highlight what they say is a lack of public swimming facilities in the city. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
DETENTION EXTENDED: Lisa Smith (38, covered), escorted by a garda, leaves the Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin. The former member of the Defence Forces, who converted to Islam and joined Islamic State forces in Syria, was repatriated in recent days and had her period of detention extended for questioning over possible terror offences. Photograph: Collins Courts
STRONGER TOGETHER: Traditional Taiko drummers from promotional body Experience Japan open the annual Léargas forum, An Inclusive Europe: Stronger Together, at Dublin Castle. Photograph: Marc O'Sullivan
PLUM POSTS: Cookie Blossom and cast of An Enchanted Christmas at Fota House, Fota Island, Co Cork, search for the magical plum for the Fota House plum pudding. Photograph: Clare Keogh
TYPHOON AFTERMATH: Residents take stock after Typhoon Kammuri caused much destruction at Camalig town, the Philippines. Photograph: Nino Luces/Reuters
TOUGH TALKS: US President Donald Trump and France's President Emmanuel Macronmeet at Winfield House, London, as Nato leaders gathered for a summit to mark the alliance's 70th anniversary, with leaders feuding behind the scenes over funding and strategy. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty
LONDON SAYS NO: Anti-Trump protesters in Trafalgar Square, London, for a Hands Off Our NHS protest against the US president, who is in the British capital for the Nato anniversary gathering. Photograph: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire
I WANT YOUR VOTE: British prime minister Boris Johnson speaks to Paul O'Rourke, who served with the Royal Irish Rangers, during a visit to a military veterans' centre in Salisbury on the general election campaign trail. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
RETURN TRIP: Swedish climate crisis activist Greta Thunberg (16) waves as she arrives at Santo Amaro Dock, at Lisbon, Portugal, after crossing the Atlantic on the catamaran La Vagabonde. She was then due to leave for Madrid for the UN climate summit, entitled COP25. Photograph: Rodrigo Antunes/EPA
SNUG SUIT: A surfer rides a wave off the coast at Tynemouth, Northumberland, England, with an imposing ship in the background. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
BEADY EYES: A sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) perches on a tree during snowfall near Pomaz, northern Hungary. Photograph: Attila Kovacs/EPA
