Fianna Fáil, Green Party parliamentary parties approve Programme for Government
The parliamentary parties of Fianna Fáil and The Green Party have approved the Programme for Government.
Fine Gael's parliamentary party meeting is still ongoing.
Three of The Green Party TDs abstained in the vote, but nine voted for it.
No new COVID-19 deaths reported in Ireland
There have been no new deaths reported from COVID-19 in Ireland.
The latest figures show there have been 18 more confirmed cases here.
The total number of deaths from the virus remains at 1,706 with 25,321 cases.
Rapist who abused sister and his seven daughters jailed for 20 years
A 75-year-old man has been jailed for 20 years for the repeated abuse of his younger sister and seven daughters from 1977 to 2000.
James O’Reilly of Killeens, Ballynonty, Thurles, in Co Tipperary can be identified because his victims waived their right to anonymity.
Over the course of his five-week trial last year, the court heard James O’Reilly was was 34 when he raped his first victim – his 13-year-old sister.
Government launches national face masks campaign
The Government has not ruled out making face masks mandatory in some situations.
The Taoiseach this morning launched a new public information campaign encouraging people to wear coverings when social distancing is difficult.
The campaign will run across, radio television and on-street advertising and will outline how, when and where people should wear them.
WATCH: Nursing homes welcome back visitors
A care home for people with dementia has been documenting its patients' first visitors in months.
As part of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, visits of up to two people are allowed in homes with no outbreaks for 28 days.
The visits must be pre-arranged and last no longer than half an hour.
