Your Monday morning catch-up

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

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Code Orange warnings are in place around the country until midday today. It comes as a number of roads have been closed in Clifden in Co Galway after heavy rain overnight.

Lower and middle-income earners would see the much-hated universal social charge phased out if Labour are returned to power, Tánaiste Joan Burton will pledge today. Encouraged by renewed voter support, 10% (+2), the Labour leader will make the re-election promise which party sources say would happen in the lifetime of the next government.

There is also good budget news for pensioners and people on social welfare today. The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection says single people will get a Christmas bonus of €115 this year, while couples will get €220 - a rise of 50% on last year.