Booster records
Wednesday was another record day for Covid-19 vaccines, with over 109,000 doses administered around the country.
To date, almost 1.9 million booster vaccines have been administered as officials urge members of the public to come forward for the additional dose to offer them better protection against the omicron variant.
In addition to getting vaccinated, the chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry has urged the public to "do their bit" by reducing their social contacts over Christmas to assist exhausted healthcare staff facing into another festive season with the virus.
Covid isolation
The Government is working on a plan to exempt key workers in public services and utilities from self-isolation requirements in some circumstances amid fears over the impact of the Omicron wave on essential services.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has asked officials to draw up “immediate contingency planning for the coming period, including risks associated with Covid-19- related absenteeism”.
Government sources have said they expect upwards of 10,000 Covid cases per day in the coming weeks.
Domestic violence supports
The 'Still Here' campaign, aimed at highlighting the supports available to people experiencing domestic abuse will relaunch across television, radio and social media from today.
The campaign will run throughout the Christmas period, when instances of domestic abuse reportedly increase.
The Government is also working on plans to bring in domestic violence leave early next year to assist people experiencing domestic violence in ending the abusive relationship and find new accommodation.
Christmas shopping
Today marks one of the biggest retail days of the year as shoppers head out to secure the last of their Christmas presents.
Figures from AIB show consumers will spend over €7 million per hour, coming after data from Bank of Ireland showed rapid increases in savings have cooled in the run-up to Christmas.
Dublin stabbing
A man, aged in his 30s, has been seriously injured in a stabbing incident in Dublin.
Gardaí have charged one man in relation with the incident of assault which occurred at a residence in Harmonstown, Dublin 5 in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A man (30s) was arrested a short distance away from the scene and was taken to Coolock Garda station where he was detained and charged.
The injured man was taken to Beaumont Hospital but has since been discharged.
