Strike action by Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) members resumed this morning. Today is the third day of strike action in the dispute over recruitment and retention issues, with no sign of a breakthrough in the escalating dispute. The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) have also escalated its current industrial action, an overtime ban, to run through the night. Both unions are set for three days of industrial action next week.

Up to 500 Ambulance personnel are set for three separate 24 hours stoppages in the coming weeks, as part of a dispute over trade union representation rights and the deduction of union subscriptions at source.

British PM Theresa May is set to meet President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk for talks in Brussels today. Yesterday, both Mr Juncker and Mr Tusk said the Withdrawal Agreement with the UK would not be reopened.

The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe is set to bring forward a proposal aimed at avoiding further cost overruns in future State building projects. The Minister was addressing the recent controversy surrounding the cost overrun at the National Children's Hospital yesterday evening.

The Department of Social Protection has said it is confident there is a clear legal basis for the Public Services Card, following renewed criticism from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) over its legality and compliance with GDPR regulations. The scheme has previously been criticised for having characteristics of a national ID card system. 

Finally, today's zen is an event recommendation. The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival 2019 is well under way, and runs until Sunday 17th February, with plenty of festival events still to come. The Spring Festival Fair, a free two-day family fun fair inspired by traditional Chinese temple fairs, is on this weekend at the chq building.

Have a good day folks.