Lifting further restrictions in doubt
The Government is not currently considering a return to restrictions or lockdown amid concern over worsening Covid indicators.
However, the easing of most remaining restrictions on October 22nd is in doubt, with a key public health adviser describing the situation as “on a knife edge” due to rising infections and hospital admissions.
On Thursday the Taoiseach said rising numbers needed to be kept in “perspective”, while the Minister for Health said the reintroduction of restrictions had not been discussed in Government.
Meanwhile, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) said there was no guarantee the status of those who are unvaccinated will change, no matter how long the reopening is delayed.
The LVA warned that any further delaying to reopening would mean the budget “will also need to be reworked.”
Rising cost of living
Irish inflation rose to a 13-year high of 3.7 per cent last month as the cost of energy, transport and housing accelerated on the back of pent-up demand and supply chain bottlenecks.
The cost-of-living squeeze is linked to the rapid resumption of economic activity after lockdown and higher energy costs.
The latest consumer price index from Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows the price of an average basket of goods and services rose by 3.7 per cent in the 12 months to the end of September, the sharpest level of price growth seen since 2008.
Laura Brennan portrait
A portrait of the late Laura Brennan has been unveiled at the Royal College of Physicians Ireland (RCPI).
The painting was unveiled as part of the RCPI's annual flagship event St Luke’s Symposium, with this year's event focusing on global vaccination.
The portrait was painted by award-winning artist Catherine Creaney Creaney who has exhibited throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.
Laura Brennan is the first non-doctor to be added to the collection in acknowledgement of her contribution to boosting the uptake of the HPV vaccine.
