The Times report that a “blitz”of safety inspections has been launched at docks and ports around Ireland in response to concerns about five workplace deaths since the start of last year. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) started the unannounced inspections on Monday morning, days after the latest serious accident at Dublin Port.

Working parents will soon be able to spend an extra two weeks at home with their baby or newly adopted child under new rules coming into effect from November 1. The Government said it is committed to supporting working parents and promoting a greater work-life balance under the new Parents Leave and Benefit Bill.  

40% of commuters would take pay cut to work nearer home in a report by The Times. More than 5,500 people have taken part an online survey, which is being carried out by Kildare and Meath county councils.  Both local authorities said they want to investigate and understand commuter trends in order to put in place “meaningful solutions”. 

The Government will consider a bill to reduce the waiting time for a divorce this morning which would reduce the separation time needed for couples seeking a divorce from four to two years. It comes after people voted to remove the reference to waiting times from the constitution in May.

Teachers at a Delfin English School on Parnell Square are striking today over pay, working conditions and union recognition. The dispute comes following attempts by trade union Unite to engage with management in a bid to address workers’ concerns. Teachers at the school have said that management won’t recognise their trade union membership.

Meanwhile, environmental activists are continuing their week of protest in Dublin today with a protest outside Government Buildings just after the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe’s Budget photocall. It is part of a global movement by Extinction Rebellion to put pressure on leaders to take urgent and radical action on climate change.

SIPTU's Joe O'Flynn has strongly criticised Boris Johnson’s “destructive and pompous UK government” in a speech to the SIPTU biennial conference in Cork. The general secretary warned that Ireland was on the brink of a Brexit disaster that will be catastrophic for tens of thousands of workers. He said he fears a return to unrest and accused the Tories of failing to consider the implication of their actions on people on both sides of the border.

Our zen this morning is brought to you by the beauty found within Soviet metro stations.

Have a good day.