Vaccine rollout
Pharmacies around the country have joined the national vaccine rollout effort today, beginning by offering the Johnson & Johnson jab, also known as Janssen.
Anyone over 50 who is not yet registered for their jab can ring a participating pharmacy to make an appointment to receive their dose.
Meanwhile, the HSE vaccine portal will be open to those aged 35-39 from Sunday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed.
First Minister nomination
Northern Ireland has a new First Minister after the DUP and Sinn Féin agreed to reconstitute the powersharing administration.
The nomination of Paul Givan as First Minister came after a night of intensive talks over Irish language laws.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he warmly welcomed the news that DUP and Sinn Féin would nominate a First Minister and Deputy First Minister for the Northern Ireland Executive.
Mica redress
Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary may leave the party if the Government do not offer a 100 per cent redress scheme to those whose properties have been impacted by mica.
Mr Calleary is understood to have informed Fianna Fáil bosses of his stance, according to the Irish Examiner, while other rural TDs are also reported to have pushed the Government to back Sinn Féin's motion for the full redress scheme.
Pricey by the sea
Coastal properties in Ireland are now 23 per cent more expensive than before the pandemic, according to a new analysis.
The premium for properties in coastal areas – which range from Carlingford and Rosslare on the east coast, through Kilmore Quay and Schull on the south coast to Lahinch, Renvyle and Dunfanaghy on the west coast – has grown dramatically over the last year.
The Daft.ie report said the increase compares to a national average increase of just 8.7 per cent in the same period.
Irish Times poll
Sinn Féin has risen to its highest ever level in an Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll, with 31 per cent support from likely voters, putting the party well ahead of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
Approval for the Government’s handling of the pandemic has also risen very substantially in recent months.
Fianna Fáil saw a six-point jump in support since February, suggesting a “vaccination boost” for the Government as the programme rolls out and society reopens.
The poll is promising for Sinn Féin ahead of the Dublin Bay South byelection on July 8th.
Cannabis seizure
Gardaí arrested one man and seized approximately €592,000 worth of suspected cannabis herb during a search operation in Co Roscommon on Wednesday.
The search in Frenchpark found a sophisticated growhouse in a residence and external sheds on the property.
