Events sector 'deeply disappointed'
Events sector representatives have said they are "deeply disappointed" following a meeting with Arts Minister Catherine Martin to discuss the possible return of concerts and festivals.
The Event Industry Alliance (EIA) said no progress had been made towards a reopening date for the sector to host events for those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
It also criticised the fact that the meeting was not attended by the Taoiseach or Minister for Health, and said there was a clear need for cross-department collaboration on the issue in government.
Earlier, industry representatives said pandemic supports are to be removed from live event workers while there is no plan in place to reopen their sector.
Afghan refugees
An Afghan student in Limerick, who fled Afghanistan for Ireland in 2010, has said he is “terrified” for family members left trapped in the country.
Hamed Safa said his sister and her family, including two children, are desperately seeking a way out, and he fears for her life as her husband previously worked to supply fuel to the American forces.
The European Union has a responsibility to accept Afghan refugees and cannot leave people who worked for the bloc in Afghanistan to "face revenge", European Parliament president David Sassoli said on Wednesday.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said the number of Irish passport holders in Afghanistan waiting to come to Ireland has increased to 33 — 25 adults and eight dependents.
Covid in schools
Mass Covid-19 infection will occur among unvaccinated school-going children with the return of schools in the coming weeks if urgent action is not taken, according to the Independent Scientific Advisory Group (ISAG).
Meanwhile, the HSE has taken its largest delivery of Covid-19 vaccines to date, after more than half a million doses arrived, including ones purchased from Romania.
Nearly 83 per cent of adults in Ireland are fully vaccinated, according to the latest figures.
There has been a small but "concerning" increase in the number of Covid-19 cases detected in nursing homes over the last number of weeks, according to a representative body from the sector.
Fatal collision
A woman in her 40s has died and a man in his 70s is in serious condition following a road collision in Co Wexford.
The fatal collision involving two cars occurred on the R772 at Scarawalsh, Co Wexford at approximately 7.50am this morning.
The woman in her 40s, the driver of one car, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second car, the man in his 70s, was taken to Wexford General Hospital where his condition is described as serious. There were no other injuries reported.
