The UK has asked for more time to respond to the legal action taken by the EU over its unilateral decision to ease the requirements of the Northern Ireland Protocol, RTÉ News understands.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said he is hopeful the Covid-19 vaccine schedule can remain on track and he is confident the system is flexible.

Latest figures show a significant easing of Covid-19 cases in hospital compared to the peak of around 2,200 cases during the surge earlier this year.

Keep up-to-date with all today's developments on the coronavirus pandemic.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has recommended a series of measures to encourage Covid-19 vaccination uptake among health staff, including mandatory vaccination as a last measure to be considered.

The NIAC and Johnson & Johnson decisions could pose serious logistical issues for Ireland's vaccine roll-out, reports Mark Coughlan.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will publish the Stability Programme Update later today which will set out new deficit and growth targets for the economy.

The chief executive of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board has said that a new set of guidelines should see the level of damages awarded in personal injury cases reduce by 40 to 50%.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will bring a Statement of Strategy and an Action Plan to Cabinet today detailing five goals to support farm incomes, the environment and wider economy.

India's new coronavirus infections hit a record, as crowds of pilgrims gathered for a religious festival despite oxygen shortages and strict curbs in other areas.

Proposed legislation allowing excavations and re-interment of remains at former mother-and-baby home institutions has been criticised for lacking a rights-based and survivor led approach.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that the Department of Health has paused taking bookings at mandatory quarantine hotels due to a problem with 'walk-ins'.

A three-year-old girl has died after she was knocked down by a bus in Co Tipperary this afternoon.

The Department of Health has reported 18 further Covid-related deaths and 358 new cases of the disease.

Johnson & Johnson has said it will delay the roll-out of its Covid-19 vaccine in Europe after US authorities moved to suspend use of the shot due to health concerns.

Health officials are looking at the possibility of extending the interval between the first and second Pfizer vaccine, to increase the number of people vaccinated against Covid-19, RTÉ News has confirmed.

The death has been announced of well-known businessman Galen Weston.

Two women who were arrested at Dublin Airport after initially refusing to enter mandatory hotel quarantine have been released from quarantine this evening.

US President Joe Biden plans to withdraw the remaining 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan by 11 September 2021, 20 years to the day after the al Qaeda attacks that triggered America's longest war, US officials said today.

Ireland's vaccine roll-out has been hit by a delay to the Johnson & Johnson vaccines announced today and the impact of yesterday's changes to the use of the AstraZeneca jab here.