Parades and events are being held across the country today to mark St Patrick’s Day.

Half a million people are expected to line the streets of Dublin when the parade sets off at 12pm, led by Grand Marshals Deirdre O'Kane and Jason Byrne.

The theme of the parade is storytelling and it will make its way from Parnell Street towards Kevin Street.

Traffic restrictions will be in place in most towns and cities and commuters are being warned to check on road closures before travelling.

***

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed that the suspect behind Friday's terror attack in Christchurch sent her office a document outlining his motives minutes before the attack.

She said the document did not include any details that could be acted upon and the document was immediately sent to security services.

The number of people known to have died in the mass shootings has risen to 50.

Meanwhile the New Zealand Police Commissioner has defended the police response to the attacks.

In a statement, he said the first armed police were at the scene six minutes after the first emergency call. He said the attacker was in custody 30 minutes later.

***

The UK Prime Minister has urged MPs to vote as “democrats and patriots” and back the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement when it returns to the House of Commons next week.

It has been reported that Brexiteer backbenchers, and potentially the DUP, may be on the brink of backing the deal.

Writing in the Sunday Telegraph this morning, Theresa May urged politicians to look beyond the categories of Leave and Remain when considering the deal.

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged the EU to be as “open and as generous and as facilitative to the UK as we possibly can” when it comes to a possible extension of the Brexit process.

***

The public appear to approve of the Taoiseach's handling of the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

The latest Behaviour and Attitudes poll for the Sunday Times shows Fine Gael extending its lead over Fianna Fail to six points.

Fine Gael is up one to 31% while Fianna Fáil has slipped to 25%. Sinn Féin is up one to 19%.

Meanwhile, satisfaction with Leo Varadkar is up one to 40% and satisfaction with the Government is up 3 to 38%.

***

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina are attending mass at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral this morning - before attending the Dublin parade.

The President has already sent a message of goodwill to Irish people at home and abroad, reflecting that 'going green' now has the added relevance of caring for the environment.

The green theme will be reflected in all its many variations from noon today - when the national parade takes to the streets of the capital.