Britain has begun its last full day in the European Union after the UK's Brexit deal was given its final seal of approval.
British MEPs are packing up their offices in Brussels as the country prepares to exit the bloc at 11.00pm Irish time tomorrow night.
Their departure means two Irish MEPs - Barry Andrews and Deirdre Clune - can finally take the seats that they won back in May.
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New figures show the waiting list for HSE homecare has risen to more than 7,800 people.
It has grown by almost 500 in the space of five months, with 7,346 on the list last July.
According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, there were 7,819 people awaiting home-support on December 31st.
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The penultimate TV debate of the general election campaign takes place tonight.
Seven party leaders will go head-to-head with just nine days left until voting.
Brexit is expected to feature strongly on Virgin Media One tonight, with the UK leaving the EU tomorrow.
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The death toll from the coronavirus has reached 170.
Infections have also spread to at least 16 other countries, with over 7,000 confirmed cases.
The World Health Organisation will decide later whether the outbreak is a global public health emergency.
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A study being launched today says women who have sought refuge in Ireland after escaping conflict need more mental health support.
Forty women between the ages of 19 and 55 who arrived to Ireland as refugees or asylum seekers were interviewed.
Many participants said they felt a sense of powerlessness from living in direct provision - with some on the verge of breakdowns.
