50 cases of COVID-19 on island of Ireland
Ten new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed by the HSE bringing the total on the island of Ireland to 50.
The 10 new cases bring the number on the Republic to 34. Northern Ireland’s Department of Health this afternoon confirmed four new cases, bringing its total to 16.
Speaking at the Department of Health in Dublin, the country’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said five of the new cases are associated with travel while the other five had contact with previously confirmed cases.
The figures include two healthcare workers - one man and one woman.
Airlines suspend Italian flights
Irish carriers Aer Lingus and Ryanair are suspending all flights to Italy.
Ryanair says it will stop all international flights as and from midnight on Friday, with domestic flights ending from midnight on Wednesday.
Both of these bans will be in place until midnight on Wednesday, April 8th.
Ryanair says the suspension follows the decision of the Italian government to "lockdown" the entire country to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
No plan to shut schools over COVID-19
The Department of Education has said there are currently no plans to shut schools because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement, the department said any decision would be based on the advice of public health officials.
It warned that schools should not decide to close of their own volition – and said management bodies would be contacted if any action is required.
“Any decision to close schools will be made on public health advice,” it said. “There is no such advice at this point.”
FF and FG to begin “detailed” government talks
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are set to begin “in-depth, detailed talks” on forming a government.
It comes after Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar met face-to-face last night and today to discuss policy.
In a joint statement, the parties said the two men had “constructive” talks about a series of policy issues and the current political impasse.
The parties will now appoint negotiating teams to commence in-depth, detailed talks.
Man found dead outside Dublin Civic Offices
The body of a man has been discovered in Dublin city centre.
It was made by emergency services at around 7:00 am on Tuesday morning outside the Civic Offices on Wood Quay.
The body has been removed to Dublin City Morgue and a post mortem will be carried out.
Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH) says the man was apparently sleeping rough.
