The biggest news item of the day is the development of a programme for Government. The Irish Times reports: "Extensive climate action measures to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, the end of direct provision and a massive programme of investment in walking and cycling infrastructure are among the policies included in a strongly Green-influenced programme for government drawn up between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party over the weekend" and that there will be no increase in the pension age this year under the terms of the planned programme.

The Irish Times also reports on the redeployment of Passport Office staff to 'Covid' roles over the past few months, while the NBRU calls for a night time commission to facilitate a 24-hour socially distanced society, including the provision of round the clock public transport.

In other Covid news new research finds that two-thirds of men have been drinking to cope with the lockdown, Dublin City Council says a “large increase” in rats leaving the sewers and infesting city streets and suburbs has emerged during the coronavirus pandemic as pest control teams have been curtailed, shopping centres are to reopen today, and people can resume visiting loved ones in nursing homes and residential care facilities, and Conor Pope extols the virtues of an Irish holiday - embrace the weather, eat chipper chips and invest in wetsuits (I had already planned to do all three).

Your moment of Zen is the story of Peter Norman, a man who knew the meaning of the word solidarity. Click on the image above for his story, it needs to be told.

Three months ago I thought I'd be taking a road trip to Cork with a couple of pals to see Kate Tempest at the Everyman Theatre tonight. For a very short time I convinced myself it would be the first step back into 'normal' times. Suffice to say, Kate's gig isn't happening tonight, so please indulge me as I include this tune for the third time in the digest in anticipation of that trip to Cork whenever it eventually happens.