Ireland wins seat on UN Security Council
Ireland has secured a seat on the UN Security Council for two years.
A total of 128 countries voted for Ireland for one of the two 'Western Europe and other states' seat - exactly the required two-thirds majority.
Norway secured the other seat in the category, winning more votes than Ireland.
President Michael D Higgins said Ireland winning a seat is a "cause for celebration".
Coronavirus: Three more deaths and eight new cases in Republic
Pictured are (l to r) Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health; and Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ieThere have been three more coronavirus-related deaths and eight new cases confirmed in the Republic.
It brings the total number of cases here to 25,341, and the number of deaths to 1,710.
Customers to be allowed 105 minutes 'seating time' in reopened pubs
Customers in pubs which reopen as restaurants will now be allowed 105 minutes of 'seating time', instead of the previously proposed 90 minutes.
The pubs themselves will have an extra 15 minutes to ensure there is adequate cleaning time and to ensure customers "leave and enter without mixing" - meaning a total of two hours can be allocated for each sitting.
Pubs will also be able to implement one metre social distancing where two metres isn't possible, as long as it is "in controlled environments, provided other risk mitigation requirements have been met and pre-booked time slots are in place".
Government plan leaves Sinn Féin in "very strong political position" - McDonald
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks to the media at Leinster House. Picture by: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA ImagesThe Sinn Féin leader has warned Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that an “appetite for change” among voters will continue to grow during the next government.
It comes as the two parties ballot their members on the proposed programme for a coalition government with the Green Party.
On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Mary Lou McDonald again labelled Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil “Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee” and said they clubbed together to ensure that “come what may, Sinn Féin was to be kept out” of government.
Ryan expecting Green Party members to back government deal
The Green Party leader says he expects members of his party to back plans for a coalition government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
All three parties are balloting their members on the programme for government and are expected to announced result on Friday week.
The Greens arguably have the hardest task, with party rules meaning they need the approval of two-thirds of their membership.
