Ukraine EU candidacy
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has hailed as “historic” the recommendation from the European Commission that Ukraine be granted candidate status as part of its application to join the EU.
“Today’s recommendation from the European Commission that Ukraine be granted candidate status is historic,” the Taoiseach said in a statement.
“If endorsed by the European Council, as I expect that it will, it will place Ukraine on a firm path towards EU membership, where it belongs.
Homebirth issues
A woman has died in Limerick after giving birth at home, prompting the suspension of the homebirth service across the Mid-West.
The tragedy occurred on June 5th after the woman gave birth to a healthy baby boy, the Irish Examiner has reported.
The woman's family have reportedly been informed that an investigation is under way and that the region's homebirth service has been suspended pending the outcome of that investigation.
Public sector pay
Negotiations between trade unions and the Government on public sector pay broke down last night at the Workplace Relations Commission. The meeting continued until 3am with no resolution.
Trade union's are seeking pay hikes in the region of 7 per cent as the cost of living soars.
Union sources say the discussions continued until the early hours of this morning at the Workplace Relations Commission, however they say there's a significant gap between both sides.
Unions had been expected to press for pay rises to compensate for the spiralling cost of living.
Laois crash
A man in his 40s has died following a fatal car crash in Co Laois on Friday morning
Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of incident on the Ballacolla to Rathdowney Road Ballacolla, Co Laois.
The collision involved a car and occurred at approximately 1.00am.
The driver of the car, a man aged in his early 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body has been removed and taken to Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.
Limerick Hospital overcrowding
A lack of staff and decreased bed capacity are some of the main issues causing overcrowding at University Hospital of Limerick's emergency department, according to a new HIQA report.
On March 15th they conducted a risk-based unannounced inspection of the emergency department to follow-up on issues of overcrowding and prepare for additional severe crowding over the upcoming bank holiday weekend March 17th to 20th.
During the inspection, they assessed:
Compliance with four key standards from the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare under the themes of Leadership, governance and management; Workforce; Safe care and support; and person-centred care and support.
Mask wearing
The UN’s special adviser on Covid-19 Dr David Nabarro has repeated a call from the HSE for anyone who is eligible for a booster vaccine to get it. He also cautioned people about gathering in crowded spaces.Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Dr Nabarro said that the UN did not favour compulsory mask wearing as the “push back” was too much.While he acknowledged that large numbers of people were still contracting the virus, the majority were not getting seriously ill.
