The Department of Health has been secretly using private information to build and maintain dossiers on children with autism who were involved in legal actions against the State.

EU leaders will hold a video conference today to discuss the worsening Covid-19 situation across Europe, as well as the European Commission's move to restrict exports of vaccines in an attempt to improve the security of supply for European citizens.

Efforts to dislodge a 400-metre long container vessel that has choked traffic along the Suez Canal resumed at high tide this morning.

The Economic and Social Research Institute has lowered its forecasts for growth in the economy this year, due to ongoing Level 5 pandemic restrictions.

Two Chinese stars cut ties with Nike for registering concerns over forced labour in Xinjiang, while H&M faced calls for a boycott, as a backlash brews against Western firms speaking out on human rights.

HSE CEO Paul Reid has described the contribution of the National Ambulance Service in testing people for Covid-19 as "mighty", ahead of the opening of five new walk-in testing centres to be operated by the ambulance service from today.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said a comprehensive and coherent statement will be made next week on the level of Covid-19 restrictions that will apply for the period ahead.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to one in four people cutting back on food and utilities, according to research commissioned by the Society of St Vincent De Paul.

AstraZeneca has revised down by three percentage points the effectiveness of its Covid vaccine after American authorities raised concerns that results reported from its US trial were outdated.

The Olympic torch relay has begun in Japan with waves, smiles and high fives, but no cheers, on a four-month countdown to the games in Tokyo, the first organised during a deadly pandemic.

North Korea launched at least two projectiles suspected to be ballistic missiles, officials in South Korea, Japan, and the United States said, the first such test reported since US President Joe Biden took office in January.

Ireland's opening World Cup qualifier started in style but ended in agony as Serbia came from behind to deservedly beat Stephen Kenny's side 3-2 at Stadion Rajko Mitic.

The European Commission and British government have issued a joint statement on the vaccine controversy, saying both sides were taking "specific steps" to create a "win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens".

The Department of Health has been notified of 18 further deaths and 683 additional cases of Covid-19.

The mother of a young woman who has been in a persistent vegetative state for almost a decade has asked the High Court to make orders allowing her to die.

The State Examinations Commission has issued guidelines to schools advising that masks will now be a requirement during the Leaving Certificate oral exams, which begin on Friday.

Amid all the negative headlines about the vaccine roll-out, one undeniably positive aspect is the joy of vaccination that many elderly people are experiencing, writes Prime Time's Oonagh Smyth.

Australians hit by devastating floodwaters have begun returning to their homes as authorities accelerated clean-up efforts following the biggest deluge in its most populous state in more than half a century.

A giant container ship ran aground in the Suez Canal after a gust of wind blew it off course, the vessel's operator said.