Gardaí are to begin excavating a site in Dublin amid allegations that two infants were buried in the back garden of a house decades ago.

It's alleged a woman was raped and gave birth to the youngsters before they were killed.

Gardaí served a search warrant at an address in south Dublin yesterday evening.

It is anticipated the search will last for up to a month.

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The issue of housing is set to dominate talks today, as efforts are made to finalise a deal on a minority Fine Gael led Government.

Negotiating teams from both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are due to meet again later.

It is hoped now that the issue of Irish Water has been resolved that a new Government can be set up in the very near future.

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The UN says the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo is catastrophic.

Airstrikes on and around the al-Quds hospital have killed at least 27 people, while more than 30 died in other attacks.

UN envoy Jan Egeland said the violence has left a partial truce hanging by a thread.

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The Irish Navy is to begin another humanitarian mission to the Mediterranean over the weekend.

The LÉ RÓISÍN is to carry out search and rescue operations in conjunction with the Italian authorities.

This is the first Irish Naval deployment to the Mediterranean this year - last year they helped rescue more than 8,500 people, many fleeing violence in Syria.

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Luas drivers will push on with their pay claim despite the threat of a 10% cut to their wages if they continue to strike.

Last night drivers discussed the threat by Transdev to cut their pay from this morning and decided to continue with their industrial action.

Drivers downed tools for the 9th time yesterday, and a further five days are scheduled for May. A strike is planned for next Wednesday.