Coronavirus vaccinations for over-70s may be delayed due to potential supply issues with the Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the Taoiseach has said.

A CORK TD has called for further restrictions on international travel amid increasing pressure on the Government to introduce mandatory quarantine.

Ireland's strict Covid-19 restrictions could remain in place for the first half of the year, the Taoiseach has said.

The education minister has accused a teachers' union of being "incredibly disingenuous" over claims that it did not instruct its members not to return to schools.

The health minister has asked bosses at the Coombe hospital in Dublin for a "full account" after it emerged that Covid-19 vaccinations were given to family members of staff.

New regulations surrounding the sale and supply of alcohol have come into force. Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has welcomed the measures under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act which are designed to restrict price promotions of alcohol products.

The Government is considering banning the sale of alcohol after a certain time of day, the Tanaiste has said.

Ireland has reached a "sad milestone" with more than 1,000 patients in hospital with Covid-19. The stark figure comes a day after the Government unveiled strict new lockdown measures amid escalating hospital admissions and a record number of cases.

NOW is not the time for Fianna Fáil to be thinking about a change in leadership.

The US Senate has resumed debating the Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Biden's presidential election victory, more than six hours after pro-Trump mobs attacked the Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has voiced his "concern and dismay" at events in Washington DC, where pro-Trump protestors stormed the Capitol building.

The US Capitol is in lockdown after protesters breached barricades amid violent clashes between President Donald Trump's supporters and Washington DC police.

Ireland's minister for justice Helen McEntee has revealed she has tested positive for Covid-19. Ms McEntee, who is pregnant with her first child, confirmed the news on Twitter.

Update: Cork North Central TD Mick Barry this morning called for the cancellation of the 2021 Leaving Cert exams.

The head of the Health Service Executive has said the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has surpassed the peak of the first wave. The highest number of patients with the virus in hospital was 881 on April 15.

ANY new laws being considered to address dog theft needs to be enforced. That is according to Sinn Féin’s Cork North Central TD, Thomas Gould.

NOW is not the time for Fianna Fail to be thinking about a change in leadership.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described Ireland's place on the United Nations Security Council as an "enormous responsibility and honour". Ireland officially took its seat on the Security Council on January 1 for a two-year period.

Micheál Martin has made clear he has no plans to retire after his stint as Taoiseach and has vowed to lead Fianna Fáil into the next election. Mr Martin also ruled out the prospect of a reshuffle of his party's government ministers in the year ahead.

The Foreign Affairs Minister has rejected claims that the reopening of hospitality and allowing home visits in December was a mistake and caused the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The Shared Island Unit is the "nuts and bolts" of the Good Friday peace accord, the Taoiseach has said. The initiative was launched earlier this year following Micheál Martin's accession to head of Government.

The Government is considering plans to introduce an extra bank holiday, the Taoiseach said. dMicheál Martin said it is a "potential" that Ireland will get additional bank holiday next year.

MEP Billy Kelleher has called for clarification on the issue of the recognition of educational and professional qualifications for those living in Northern Ireland post-Brexit.

FORMER UK prime minister Tony Blair’s apology for the Famine, read at a commemoration in Cork in 1997, received a “warm” reaction in Irish official circles, British archives show.

A NEW bill, which is focused on criminalising the sharing of intimate images without consent, has been signed into law, but a West Cork TD has said more needs to be done to address issues around consent at a social and cultural level.

The Taoiseach has pledged to work to support Ireland's fishing industry and coastal communities as Brexit approaches. Micheál Martin led a meeting of ministers with representatives from the sector on Monday.

The number of Irish passports issued this year dropped by 60% compared to last year, new figures show. Around 400,000 Irish passports were issued over the last 12 months, which is around 40% of the number issued in 2019.

A referendum may be required to allow female politicians to take maternity leave, the Taoiseach has said.

A referendum may be required to allow female politicians to take maternity leave, the Taoiseach has said.

The Government is to examine the introduction of a statutory living wage to tackle income inequality, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said. A living wage is the amount considered necessary to provide an acceptable standard of living.

Normality will not return for at least six months in Ireland, the Taoiseach said. It could be May or June before mass vaccination brings about significant change, Micheal Martin added.

2020 has been a year like no other for all Irish people. But for RTÉ News Washington Correspondent Brian O’Donovan, it has been a whirlwind in many ways. Ann Murphy talks to the Farran native.

Government ministers are restricting their movements after a Cabinet member tested positive for Covid-19. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue received a positive test result earlier today.

Boris Johnson has cancelled Christmas for millions of people across London and south-east England after scientists said that a new coronavirus variant is spreading more rapidly.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that pubs and restaurants will be closed before New Year's Eve, with December 30 understood to be the planned closing date.

LATEST: The Taoiseach has tested negative for Covid-19 today.  Micheál Martin had been tested for the second time in a number of days, following contact with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has contracted the virus.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has clarified comments he made in the Dáil yesterday 'in the heat of battle'. While speaking to Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, Mr Martin said that the banks were not bailed out.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has claimed the banks were not bailed out following the 2008 financial crisis.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it will be difficult for the EU and UK negotiating teams to "square the circle" to reach a post-Brexit trade deal.

The deadline for the end of the Brexit transition period should have been extended due to the global pandemic, former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said. Continued uncertainty would be a retrograde step and the last thing either side needs, he added.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said he still believes a deal can be agreed between the the Eurooean Union and Britain.  He made the comments at a press conference today as he met German counterpart Heiko Maas.

A former Government colleague of Simon Coveney says the Cork TD hates leaks and was sharply critical of leaks from Cabinet.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that a post-Brexit trade agreement is "within reach". Mr Martin said, however, that there are no "winners or losers" in the coming days of the negotiations.

Major social media companies could face multimillion-euro fines if they fail to remove harmful content under new legislation.

Solidarity TD Mick Barry has criticised the Government’s decision to reverse pension cuts for top civil servants in light of the recent vote against paying student nurses and midwives.

Hospitals that allow student nurses to treat Covid patients should be investigated as it is "an abuse", the Taoiseach has warned. Micheál Martin said it was "wrong" for first-year nursing students to treat patients dying from coronavirus.

A Cork councillor has welcomed the news that Cork City Council has formed a Women’s Caucus to improve conditions for female politicians. The Women’s Caucus has been established by six female members of Cork City Council.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has confirmed she is expecting her first child. She announced the news on Instagram in a Christmas-themed post.

The next leader of Fianna Fáil could come from not only the same county as Taoiseach Micheál Martin but also the same constituency.

ARLENE Foster is to write to the Ceann Comhairle about a tweet about Kilmichael Ambush by the Sinn Féin chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.