Ventilation expert Prof John Wenger will also be a key member of the advisory group, which will have approximately half the number of members as Nphet ha

For many, this latest episode again demonstrates the disconnect between those in the corridors of power and everyday citizens who are struggling to make ends meet.

The group is to succeed Nphet but will have a different, wider remit, sources have confirmed to the 'Irish Examiner'

Her portrait is just the third female portrait to hang in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in its 368-year history.

Members also said the requirement to keep using the pass could help boost vaccine uptake, though others disputed whether this was actually the case

"Notwithstanding the need for continued vigilance in these areas in particular, we are now entering a transition phase of the pandemic response," Dr Holohan said

Speaking in Tipperary, Tánaiste acknowledged challenge around rural housing provision

However, he stressed the guidelines will remain in healthcare settings and on public transport

Ireland's National Public Health Emergency Team is being stood down but effectively its work goes on 

After governing under its security blanket, which imposed some of the most severe restrictions on our liberty since the foundation of the State, the coalition will now have to start making its own decisions

Unions representing teachers, public transport workers and retail staff have criticised the recommendation to relax mask-wearing requirements in workplaces, public transport, and schools

Mr Harris said that public health advice would guide regulations, and it was the "clear intention" of the Government to wind down restrictions

Education Minister Norma Foley says she will accept the advice that comes out of tomorrow's Nphet meeting

Taoiseach says that while Omicron has proved to be less serious, this may not be the case for all variants

Stephen Donnelly welcomes Nphet's 'positive' recommendation to relax restrictions on people who have had booster shots and don't have symptoms of Covid 

It's seen as a boys' club where men in suits make profound decisions impacting disproportionately on women and children. In fact, Nphet is one of the only pandemic taskforces in the world with gender parity. Niamh Griffin meets the women behind the acronym

ASTI call comes as ministers concede privately that Nphet advice on close contacts is 'disproportionate and unfeasible'

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan 'accepted' a move to antigen testing would present challenges when communicating that message after months of dismissing it as an option

THE start of a new year is a time to take stock, assess how things stand, and to examine how some items can be improved.

Professor Cathal Walsh of the University of Limerick warned that due to constraints in testing, thousands of cases could be missed 

Chief Medical Officer pointed out that one in six young people were not yet vaccinated and that one million people over the age of 40 had not yet come forward for their booster dose

Many of us lost loved ones in the pandemic — not just to Covid, but also to anti-vaccine sentiment that is damaging families and friendships

The recommendations sent to the Government leaders late last night came as yet another hammer blow to pubs, cafes and venues

It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of year, but it's all too easy to let the party mood influence your decisions. Follow our expert advice to make this a Christmas to remember for all the right reasons 

Christmas restrictions are to be considered as the Covid variant now accounts 27% of all new cases

The finance minister said given the threat posed by the Omicron variant, there is a need to “go further” than the Government had previously thought necessary to contain the spread of the virus

The Tánaiste expects recommendations on close contacts, social gatherings and international travel to counter the new Covid variant

Ministers also decided that all communications on Covid were now to be managed by and channelled through the Government Information Service

Opposition TDs raise concerns as Tánaiste says Government plans to make changes to EWSS, PUP, and other supports 

HSE is to roll out information campaign so parents are fully informed as inoculation campaign set to start within a fortnight

A number of ministers have cautioned that it is "far too early" to predict a return to lockdown, with one senior minister saying "we're not in that space"

140,000 vaccine doses for children to arrive in Ireland before Christmas.

TDs were told that therapeutics such as new anti-viral medications, which could be available in January, were showing promising results

Areas of the healthcare system are going to have to shut down if Covid numbers continue to surge according to Dr Catherine Motherway 

Peter Lunn reckons the Irish public want further restrictions to protect us against Covid. He, and they, may well be right

Micheál Martin said the modelling on Covid case numbers is very worrying, with a peak expected in the coming weeks

When asked if he could guarantee further restrictions would be avoided the Taoiseach said: "Nobody can guarantee anything in relation to Covid-19."

What the hell kind of country is it where only people working for enlightened private companies or who own their own place of employment are permitted to keep working after they hit 65 or thereabouts

Nphet suggests Ireland should revert to working from home, while the CMO urges people to break the chain of viral transmission 

Government must put an end to the confusion, doublespeak, and chaos — starting by asserting its authority over Nphet

Ireland is being asked to #LayerUp just as everything reopens — and we're torn between boosters and vaccine equity. With all these Covid contradictions, it's no wonder we're confused

In Cork, 484 people have now died from Covid-19 since March last year, with 263 in Limerick and 136 in Clare. 

The Irish public needs clear and unambiguous communication from politicians and officials alike