Terms of reference into review of children's hospital costs to be changed

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the terms of reference of a review into the rising costs of the new national children's hospital are to be changed "to find individuals accountable".

The move followed criticisms after it was revealed the PwC review was told to stop short of finding individual culpability.

The terms of reference had said the examination should establish the sequence of events that led to the cost increases and identify key areas of focus - but not suggest blame for any individual involved.

The terms of reference had been slammed by members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Wreckage of plane carrying missing footballer Emiliano Sala found

Wreckage of the plane carrying missing footballer Emiliano Sala has been found in the English Channel.

The plane - which was carrying the footballer and pilot David Ibbotson - went missing on January 21st while flying from Nantes in France to Cardiff in Wales.

Air searches failed to find any sign of the aircraft, prompting search teams to start examining the seabed.

On Twitter, search team head David Mearns confirmed the families of the two men have now been informed the plane has been found.

Nurses announce two additional strike dates

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has announced two additional dates for strike action.

The decision was made at a meeting of the unions executive council today, and will see members down tools on the 19th and 21st of February.

The stoppages will be in addition to strike dates already planned for the 5th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 14th.

Last Wednesday saw the first of the 6 original 24 hour stoppages take place, in the row over pay and staff shortages.

Head of national children's hospital development board steps down

The chair of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board has stepped down from his position.

Tom Costello has said it is due to concerns about "reputational damage" that the ongoing commentary about the increased cost of the national children's hospital is causing.

The board is responsible for overseeing the building of the new hospital.

It comes after it was revealed that a review of the rising costs of the hospital was told to stop short of finding individual culpability.

Abbey Theatre holds 'positive and productive' meeting over dispute

A meeting of workers and management of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin has been described as a 'positive and productive' first step.

The theatre and a representative group of 312 signatories from an open letter to the Culture Minister Josepha Madigan met on Friday.

It related to the direction of the theatre and how it is being run.

The meeting included directors, designers, writers and producers who met with chair of the theatre, Dr Frances Ruane, director of the theatre Neil Murray and Abbey Theatre board member Sarah Durcan.