The Minister for Health says he's open to meeting with Irish Nurses and Midwives (INMO) officials in a bid to prevent nurses taking industrial action over recruitment and retention issues. The Executive Council of the INMO will consider the issue when they next meet on November 5th.

It was announced yesterday the remains of hundreds of children feared buried in a mass grave at a former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home are to be exhumed as part of a major forensic investigation.

Meanwhile, two Dublin schools will not open today due to structural issues, with fresh concerns for the safety of pupils and teachers in up to 40 other schools built by the same developer.

In international news, UK businesses have run out of time to prepare for the consequences of Britain leaving the EU in March without an exit deal, a British government audit showed today. Also, the United States has said it will revoke the visas of nearly two dozen Saudi officials involved in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The final televised presidential debate with all six candidates took place last night, with conversation dominated by presidential expenses and taxes. These children gave independent.ie their thoughts on the election and explained what they'd do if elected president. One said they'd build a roller coaster out of chocolate which is arguably better than any of the dragon's proposals to date!