There's a backlog of almost 80,000 cervical smear tests as the system struggles to cope with extra demand.

An additional 90,000 women sought a smear test after free re-checks were offered in the wake of the CervicalCheck scandal.

The current average waiting time is more than 13 weeks - although it can take 27 weeks for the report to be provided.

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The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is meeting this afternoon to discuss the recommendations issued by the Labour Court, following the suspension of strike action on Monday night.

It's believed the proposals, which are wide-ranging, include pay increases of between 2.5% and 7%.

Members are set to be balloted on the proposals in the coming weeks.

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Fianna Fáil is insisting that more needs to be known about the effects of the overspend for the new National Children's Hospital.

About €100 million is being diverted from a range of projects to cover the extra cost.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said no key projects will be delayed or cancelled.

However, Fianna Fáil's Stephen Donnelly is arguing that people need to know exactly what projects will be impacted.

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The governor of the Bank of England has warned about the threat to the global economy in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Mark Carney said such a scenario would create an ''economic shock'' at a time when China's economy is also slowing down and trade tensions are mounting.

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Potential treatments are being trialled for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, during what's become the second largest outbreak ever worldwide.

The international charity 'Doctors Without Borders' (Médecins Sans Frontières) has begun enrolling patients in clinical trials for four products to see which will be the most effective.

The trials in Katwa and Butembo are being overseen by the World Health Organisation.