Brexit negotiators are to enter a fresh round of talks in Brussels this morning amid renewed hopes for a deal.
The Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister yesterday agreed that there was a “pathway” to a possible deal following talks in Cheshire.
Leo Varadkar has revealed little about the detail of the meeting – amid reports of “significant movement” from the UK side.
The Chief EU Negotiator Michel Barnier will meet with the UK Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay this morning to try and move the process forward.
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Aid agencies are warning of an escalating humanitarian crisis in northern Syria as Turkey continues its assault on the region.
Turkish forces invaded the Kurdish-controlled area after US President Donald Trump began to withdraw troops last Sunday.
The Kurdish forces were a key part of the US-led alliance that battled Islamic State in the region over the past decade.
Thousands of people have fled their homes in the chaos and there are fears the terror could now use the confusion to regroup.
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Climate protesters who chained themselves to the gates of Leinster House yesterday evening were removed by Gardaí around midnight.
Activists from Extinction Rebellion used bicycle locks to attach themselves to the metalwork.
About 60 people working at the Oireachtas were unable to leave, including 20 TDs and senators.
There was singing and chanting from a crowd which staged a sit-down protest alongside as the activists were removed from the Merrion Square Gates.
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The number of people treated in hospital for drug or alcohol addiction disorders increased by nearly 10% last year.
According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, 543 people had overnight stays in hospital for issues related to drug addiction last year.
That is up from 438 the year before.
Over 80% of the admissions were for alcohol dependence syndrome or behaviour associated with it – up 19%
The Irish Medical Organisation is calling for increased awareness of the dangers of drug abuse.
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A search operation is set to resume this morning for a man missing at sea off the coast of County Cork.
The local man - who is aged in his 20s - failed to return home on Wednesday.
The wreckage of a small vessel was found yesterday in Dunmanus Bay.
Some trawlers have joined vessels and aircraft from the Coast Guard, RNLI and the Naval service in the search effort.
