Israel and Hamas have said they had agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage deal, the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 people.

Follow developments in the Middle East as US President Donald Trump says Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of this 20-point peace plan for Gaza.

Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin last night apologised to his party colleagues over how the presidential election campaign was handled.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin listened to criticism of how the Gavin nomination was handled, but his approach was one of apology and emotion compared to the swagger he displayed on Monday evening, writes Micheal Lehane

Raw sewage discharges into the environment have halved since the start of last year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.