Many of the papers this morning carry various stories speculating about knock-on claims post-nurses’ Labour Court recommendation. This piece from Martin Wall looks closest to the mark. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is meeting this afternoon to discuss the recommendations issued by the Labour Court following the suspension of strike action. 

Fórsa was first out of the blocks with its holding statement on Monday evening (see yesterday’s bulletin). Unions may well await the outcome of further talks on the  proposed new nurses’ contract – and, indeed, the IMNO ballot itself – before finalising their positions. The Fórsa executive meets on 27th February and a consultative council meeting has been called on 19th March.

The Examiner carries a piece in it's broadsheet edition stating that the Minister for Education Joe McHugh has secured an agreement for a pilot project which would see SNAs recieve further training on assessing and supporting children's needs. The pilot scheme has not been agreed by Fórsa.

The Minister for Health has apologised to the Dáil for an answer he gave to the House on 18 September 2018 about the National Children's Hospital project. Simon Harris issued the apology over information he provided on the cost of the new National Children's Hospital. In other news the Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the Cabinet has agreed €100 million in savings to meet the cost overruns at the National Children's Hospital, with the largest single saving coming from the delays to the construction of the A5 Dublin to Derry road, totalling €27m.

All flights in and out of Belgium have been cancelled for a 24-hour period due to a national strike by Air Traffic Controllers. The strike began at 10pm local time last night (9pm Irish time), and is scheduled until 10pm tonight.

Congress are holding their February briefing this coming Friday at 10.30am in Congress Head Office. The briefing will celebrate the centenary of the first Dáil and will be given by Padraig Yeates and Theresa Moriarty. Click here for more information.

Our Zen this morning is as zaney as it is true. The New York Pet Fashion Show is a thing and there are pictures to prove it. Cruella de Vil is a personal favourite.

Have a good day folks.