The declaration by Mr Trump of a state of emergency in order to fund his wall marks a dangerous step and calls into question the efficacy of the checks on executive power supposedly built into the structures of governance in the US. The move either indicates that Trump is ignorant of the scope of his office or is deliberately pushing the envelope. Both are worrying developments.

A leading consultant says the number of patients on trolleys across the country remains a national emergency

We have a national emergency in the housing sector according to Simon Coveney.

People Before Profit is calling on the Government to declare a National Emergency in relation to the housing crisis.