Speaking during his first Leaders’ Questions as Taoiseach, Mr Martin said it was particularly regrettable that the company closed in the context of Covid-19.

Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen will not face questions from TDs when he addresses the Dáil on his drink-driving ban tonight.

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council says that it does not expect the Covid-19 recession to cause the kind of austerity seen in the economic crash, but has warned that Ireland will need large amounts of funding for new borrowing.

The pandemic unemployment payment will be reduced for part-time workers, the Taoiseach has said.