A Professor in Experimental Immunology says it's good news as boosters have proved to be very effective.

Councillor Seamus Coyle warns that waiting times can cause children to lose their ability to walk.

Pauline Tully recently raised the issue of a Cavan family who was told their son would have to wait three and a half years to be seen by a paediatric urologist.

However, the RCSI Hospital Group said there are no plans to extend the operating hours.

The variant was identified in South Africa and Hong Kong.

The proposals were due to be brought before Cabinet this morning.

It comes as almost 3,500 health staff are out of work due to covid related illnesses.

Step-down beds in Monaghan Hospital were used last winter to relieve pressure on bigger hospitals.