Covid pass vigilance
The Taoiseach has warned the public to be vigilant of businesses that do not ask for a Covid pass, urging people to insist that restaurants and pubs follow basic rules.
Micheál Martin said avoiding the return of restrictions in the coming weeks and months would “demand vigilance” from members of the public.
He made the comments as new safety guidelines for nightclubs and live events are to be published tonight ahead of the reopening of nightclubs tomorrow.
People going to nightclubs will be asked to show their Covid pass, and will have to wear a mask apart from when they are eating, drinking and dancing.
Restrictions not ruled out
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said “nobody can rule out” the reintroduction of pandemic restrictions.
“It is possible for us to ride out this wave, to get through this second peak of Delta without having to reimpose restrictions, but that can’t be guaranteed unfortunately,” he said.
It comes after the chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan urged people over the age of 60 to restrict their movements.
The Tánaiste also said that things may not return to the “old normal” until next spring.
EU summit
The Taoiseach is in Brussels today and tomorrow for a European Council summit, with the rule of law in Poland on the agenda.
Micheál Martin said Ireland was extremely disappointed with the latest ruling of the Polish courts rejecting the supremacy of EU law over national law and will make it clear at the summit today.
"We in Ireland are very concerned, we have good bilateral relations with Poland, but we believe the primacy of EU law and the Court of Justice is critical for the protection of citizens all across Europe," Mr Martin told reporters on entering the talks.
Northern Ireland centenary
The Government has defended the decision of President Michael D Higgins not to attend a cross-community service to mark the centenary of partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland.
Speaking in the Dáil, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan defended the President’s position and denied that the Government had “snubbed” him by sending its own representatives to the event.
The event, which took place at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh today, became the centre of a row last month after President Higgins declined an invitation to attend because he believed it was not politically neutral.
Rats in the workplace
A man who trapped two rats and released them into his workplace amid an alleged grievance with a colleague has paid €3,000 in compensation and will serve a six-month prison sentence.
Bandon District Court in Co Cork heard that John O'Neill (61), who has since retired from his position in Cork County Council, released the live rats into Rathbeg Council Offices in Kinsale on February 9th this year.
The rats caused thousands of euro in damage before they were caught by pest control.
