The Gaelic games correspondent lost his father and grandfather to heart attacks.

Concern has been expressed about a rise in issions in Ireland, with 869 in hospital with flu on Sunday compared to 530 a week previously.

MLAs are debating a motion calling for a full independent inquiry into delays to the completion of the new maternity and children’s hospital projects.

The Fine Gael leader said no detail had been given around the Fianna Fáil plan and said he would be opposed to it.

The Taoiseach said a Covid evaluation will ‘get to the bottom’ of the country’s response to the pandemic.

They made the case that a reduction in the hours of the day that alcohol can be sold on- and off-trade should be considered, given it would lead to a reduction in alcohol-related harms.

It was reported that health concerns about expanding the hours when alcohol can be sold were not shared at Cabinet.

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall said there was no information about supplies of the vaccine to combat MonkeyPox or about any plans to cope with the virus.

Vaccines against monkeypox were due to arrive in Ireland on Friday