'We know that a lot of people have paid over a lot of years in to the social insurance fund'

'This project is hugely important not just for Clones and County Monaghan but for the wider border region'

It would see anyone earning above 20 thousand euro a year automatically signed up to pension contributions.

At a meeting of Government party leaders last night it was decided to accept NPHET advice on mask wearing in public settings.

It includes rules around making the request.

Close contacts who're vaccinated and have recovered from Covid in the past three months will also no longer need to self-isolate.

The plan could see households paid €100 against energy bills early in the new year.