Psychiatric Nurses hold a second day of industrial action today as part of their dispute with the HSE over pay and staffing.
Thousands of members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association are staging an overtime ban from this morning.
The union says nurses will refuse to do additional hours at a significant number of locations nationwide.
They are due to join nurses and midwives in three days of strike action from February 12th.
***
The Irish Defence Forces have said they are "surprised and disappointed" by negative comments from Kilkenny Hurler and former soldier Colin Fennelly.
The sports star said there is "no job satisfaction" in an army career and the force needs a complete revamp.
Speaking to Off The Ball about his experience, Colin Fennelly said Defence Force members had "nothing to do" and that his time there was marked by "absolute boredom.”
After the interview, the Defence Forces said the army prides itself on its members' dedication and sacrifice in defence of the state, assisting government agencies and on peacekeeping missions.
***
North Korea has pledged to destroy all its nuclear enrichment facilities, according to the US special envoy for the country.
Stephen Biegun says the secretive state must provide a full list of its nuclear assets before any deal is reached.
US President Donald Trump claims "tremendous progress" has been made in talks between the countries.
He said a second summit with Kim Jong-un will be announced early next week.
***
Drivers are being urged to be on the alert for icy conditions on the roads this morning.
A national Status Yellow snow-ice warning has been extended until Sunday.
The Midlands is expected to be the worst affected part of the country today.
More chilly weather is expected tonight with temperatures likely to plummet to between -2C and -6C degrees – leading to further treacherous conditions on the roads.
***
21 people have now died as a result of the intense polar vortex gripping the Midwest of the US.
Sub zero wind chills and snow have seen temperatures drop as low as -40C.
Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin are the worst affected areas.
