Good morning colleagues,

This morning's news is led by reports of a new government being formed, with two Independent TDs sitting at Cabinet in a new three-way coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The incoming government intends to cut the VAT rate to 9% for food-based hospitality, entertainment and hairdressing in the next budget. 

Elsewhere, HSE chief exec Bernard Glaster has said the health body will put in place 279 additional hospital beds this year and move to operating health services over a seven-day rather than a Monday-Friday basis.