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30.03.2021 / 23:17

Taoiseach doubles down on gamble of building expectation around vaccine

"The summer is not lost" was the key phrase from Leo Varadkar's address to the nation last June. He was signalling the way out of the first ever lockdown at a time when the country tentatively dappled in the notion of hope that we soon learned mixed very badly with the coronavirus pandemic.

Leo Varadkar Ireland politics Coronavirus

Govt to consider allowing travel within counties from mid-April

The Cabinet will today consider a proposal to extend the 5km limit from the middle of next month.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

What we learned from tracking Covid-19 policies in 186 countries

Analysis: 600 data collectors have tracked the lockdown, health, economic and vaccine responses to the pandemic worldwide

county Oxford politics Government Coronavirus

'Step change' in vaccine rollout from April onwards - Donnelly

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has told the Dáil that there will be "step change" in the vaccine rollout from April onwards.

David Cullinane Stephen Donnelly Róisín Shortall Ireland politics Coronavirus

Half of restaurants face permanent closure due to pandemic, says RAI

Half of restaurants face permanent closure in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the lobby group which represents the industry.

Adrian Cummins Ireland politics

Construction and children's sports among key Govt priorities

The return to work of upwards of 14,000 more construction workers, along with the resumption of group sports training for children, next month have been identified as key Government priorities.

Ireland politics

Vaccine suspension was a setback, but only time will tell how big

This one-week interruption has been a setback.

Alan Kelly Stephen Donnelly politics Coronavirus

‘I got a little personal,’ Doug Ford says of suggestion Indigenous MPP jumped vaccine queue

COVID-19 vaccine.Ford said he called NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, who represents the riding of Kiiwetinoong, and apologized but wants people to remember that “we’re from two separate political parties.”“A lot of stuff goes on in the legislature. Sometimes it gets personal.

Doug Ford Ontario politics Coronavirus

Taoiseach to discuss Covid vaccinations with Biden

The Taoiseach has said he will discuss Covid-19 vaccinations with US President Joe Biden when the two leaders hold a virtual meeting on St Patrick's Day.

Joe Biden Margaret Brennan Usa Ireland politics Coronavirus

Donnelly says AstraZeneca 'repeatedly' changing delivery schedules

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said AstraZeneca is "repeatedly changing its delivery schedules, often at the last minute, and revising down the volumes that it had agreed to deliver".

Ireland politics Coronavirus

Cabinet to consider extension of Covid protections for tenants

The Cabinet will this morning consider a proposal from Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien to extend protections for tenants whose incomes have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ireland politics

Mandatory quarantine to prevent spread of Covid-19 signed into law

The Bill providing for the mandatory quarantine of people entering the State from certain areas to prevent the spread of Covid-19 has been signed into law.

Michael D.Higgins Ireland politics Coronavirus

Govt balancing vaccine supplies and public demands

Politicians have been gripped by the vaccine jitters this week as nerves falter over the rollout.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

Canadian premiers blame Ottawa for delayed COVID-19 shots

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]Labels of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines call for a three or four-week gap between doses.Research has shown one dose is 70 to 80 per cent effective for up to two months, but it’s unclear how long protection lasts beyond that.Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said Thursday his province is moving to the four-month interval because the federal government has done a “disappointing job at best” in quickly getting vaccines to provinces.Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister added: “Let’s face it: this strategy has become necessary as a consequence of an absence of vaccines.”A Health Canada official said Thursday that a decision on Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine

Public Health Jason Kenney Scott Moe Brian Pallister Canada city Ottawa politics Coronavirus

'Returning from holiday' top reason for Dublin Airport arrivals

A majority of passengers surveyed as they arrived at Dublin Airport last week listed 'returning from holiday' as their reason for travel.

Ireland city Dublin politics

No recommendation on masks for primary school children

Minister for Education Norma Foley has told the Dáil that at this point in time, the National Public Health Emergency Team has not recommended that primary school children wear face coverings.

Ireland politics

Govt seeking €850m from EU fund to boost economy

The Government is to seek €850 million from the European Recovery and Resilience Fund to boost the economy here in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Eu business politics Coronavirus

Seanad debates rollout of vaccines in Palestine

The Independent Senator Frances Black has told the Seanad that Government should play a greater role in ensuring that there is a fair vaccine rollout in Palestine.

France Israel Palestine politics Coronavirus

Breaches of Covid rules see over 9,000 fixed charge notices issued

Over 9,000 fixed charge notices have been issued to date for breaches of Covid-19 rules, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has told the Dáil.

Justice Helen Macentee Ireland politics Coronavirus

Govt blurring lines on emergency Covid powers - IHREC

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has found that the Government has persistently blurred the boundary between legal requirements and public health guidance in its response to Covid-19.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

Dáil to debate mandatory quarantine legislation

The Dáil will debate legislation to provide for the mandatory quarantine of people coming into the State from areas from where there is known to be high transmission of Covid-19 or variants.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

Medics call for Vitamin D recommendation in Covid-19 strategy

A number of senior medics will appear before the Oireachtas Health Committee today, where they will call on Government to recommend the use of Vitamin D in its Living with Covid-19 strategy.

Ireland city Dublin politics Coronavirus

Covid sub-committee meets ahead of Cabinet decision

The special Covid-19 Cabinet sub-committee will meet later today as the updating of the Government's plan on Living with Covid continues ahead of its publication this week.

politics Coronavirus

What we think we know about revised Living with Covid plan

Ahead of Cabinet sub-committee discussions tomorrow and a Cabinet decision on Tuesday, here is what we think we know about the revised Living with Covid plan - and what restrictions we can expect in the coming weeks.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

Donohoe promises continued support for businesses through pandemic

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said there will be "no cliff edge" for businesses who have been forced to remain closed because of Covid-19.

Ireland politics

Extended pub opening hours being considered after Covid pandemic

Nightclubs look set to be allowed stay open later and Sunday pub opening hours will be extended under a plan by the Minister for Justice to reform the alcohol licensing laws.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

People with underlying conditions to be moved up priority list

People with underlying health conditions are set to be moved up the vaccination priority list under a plan being worked on by Government this weekend.

Stephen Donnelly Ireland politics Coronavirus

Govt introduction of mandatory quarantine plan 'half-baked' - Doherty

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has argued the introduction of mandatory quarantine is happening too late and described a "half-baked attempt" from Government in addressing this issue.

Katie Hannon Ireland Brazil politics Coronavirus

No reopening of hospitality before mid-summer - Martin

No consideration will be given to opening hospitality until mid-summer, Taoiseach Mícheál Martin has said.

Micheál Martin Ireland politics Coronavirus

Liberals dodging government accountability with interpreter shortage, Tories say

Liberals are using a pandemic-induced shortage of translators to shut down House of Commons committees when they raise issues that cause the government discomfort.Conservative whip Blake Richards points to a meeting of the health committee last Friday, which was abruptly cut short by Liberal chair Ron McKinnon announcing that the committee would not have any Commons staff resources, including interpreters, after 4:30 p.m.At the time, Liberal members of the committee had been filibustering opposition attempts to pass a motion demanding disclosure of the contracts the government has signed with pharmaceutical companies for COVID-19 vaccines.Richards says other committees have been similarly shut down at crucial moments.

county Dodge politics House of Commons Coronavirus

Attending golf dinner was a 'major mistake' - Dara Calleary

Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary said he knew from "early on" that he needed to resign from his ministerial role following the controversy over an Oireachtas golf society dinner in Clifden last summer.

Dara Calleary Ireland politics Coronavirus

Cabinet sub-committee discusses phased reopening of schools

The Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 is meeting in Government Buildings to discuss the phased reopening of schools.

Ronan Glynn education politics

Teacher unions concerned over Leaving Cert exam plans

The Teachers' Union of Ireland has called for further engagement and clarifications on the Government's hybrid exams and calculated grades Leaving Certificate plan which was announced yesterday.

Ireland politics

Mandatory hotel quarantining legislation could take three weeks to pass

Further discussions are expected to take place today as Government seeks to agree a plan to establish a mandatory hotel quarantine system.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

Cabinet to consider legislation over hotel quarantining

Legislation leading to the introduction of mandatory quarantining at hotels in Ireland will be presented to the Cabinet this morning by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

Psaki 'happy to check' with White House team over St Patrick's Day

A spokesperson for US President Joe Biden has said that public events at the White House have been limited and that she will check if the traditional St Patrick's Day celebration will go ahead next month.

Joe Biden Jen Psaki Usa Ireland politics

Taoiseach says high level of restrictions to continue

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government is looking at a continuation of a high level of restrictions to the Easter period.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

'I'm not the son of Fianna Fáil privilege' - Opposition TDs' row over Covid strategy

It's not often that the Healy-Rae brothers come under attack from fellow opposition TDs, but today the tables were turned by Labour's Duncan Smith.

Alan Kelly David Cullinane Ireland county Smith city Duncan, county Smith politics Coronavirus

Government 'kite flying' over restriction changes - SF

Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane has accused Government of "kite flying" when it comes to commentary around changes to Covid-19 restrictions next month.

Sinn Féin Alan Kelly David Cullinane politics Coronavirus

Revised 'Living with Covid' plan to be announced in a fortnight

The Tánaiste has said the Government is working on a revised version of the "Living with Covid-19" plan which will be announced in the week of 22 February.

Leo Varadkar Fine Gael Britain Ireland politics

Govt announces extra €160m in supports for Covid hit firms

The Government has announced funding of €160m in additional supports for businesses affected by Covid-19.

Ireland politics

Early vaccine roll-out was 'haphazard' - INMO to tell Oireachtas committee

The Irish Nurses and Midwives' Organisation will tell politicians tomorrow that the early roll-out of vaccines was haphazard and not focused on areas with the highest infection rates.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha Ireland politics Coronavirus

Govt warned over financial cost of Covid restrictions

The Government has been warned that the financial costs of continued restrictions are very large and that the short-term economic outlook has worsened due to the current Level 5 restrictions.

Ireland politics

Sinn Féin calls for fuel allowance for PUP recipients

Sinn Féin has called for an extension of the Winter Fuel Allowance to recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Ireland politics Coronavirus

Hotel quarantine plans may face delay over legislation

The Government's plan to use hotels for the mandatory quarantining of some international arrivals could face delays.

Ireland South Africa Brazil politics Coronavirus

Cabinet committee to discuss Leaving Cert, schools reopening

The Government is likely to make a decision on whether to hold the tradition Leaving Cert sometime this week, with a key policy meeting taking place later today.

Ireland politics

Concerns raised over EU controls on vaccines to NI

The Taoiseach has been in contact with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to raise concerns about the decision to override part of the Northern Ireland Brexit protocol in order to block vaccines entering the UK.

Ursula Von Northern Ireland Britain Ireland Eu politics Brexit Coronavirus

Oireachtas Health Committee to hear update on IT system to track vaccine roll-out

Work is continuing on the delivery of an IT system to track the roll out of Covid-19 vaccines, the Oireachtas Health Committee will hear today.

politics Coronavirus track

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0