Legislation leading to the introduction of mandatory quarantining at hotels in Ireland will be presented to the Cabinet this morning by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. It is understood his intention is to introduce a bill into the Dáil as early as this Thursday, with the aim of having the legislation signed into law by the first week in March. 

The number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment has fallen by more than 3,600 over the last week, the first reduction since stringent Covid-19 restrictions were reimposed in December, according to the Department of Social Protection. Meanwhile, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has confirmed that the various pandemic supports will be extended beyond the end of March.

Elsewhere, the ECDC has advised that tough and immediate public health interventions are needed, and urged countries to speed up the vaccination of the highest risk groups in order to prevent a further wave of Covid-19.

The Road Safety Authority has admitted that 484 driving tests were cancelled last week for weather related reasons including unsafe conditions, ice and snow at test centres, but has refuted claims that driving tests were  "arbitrarily" cancelled due to low temperatures.

The State has urged the Supreme Court to overturn a far-reaching finding that a law setting minimum pay and conditions in construction and related industries is unconstitutional.

Almost half of cancer patients have said their diagnosis has negatively impacted their career, new research reveals. The study was carried out by the ESRI and funded by the Irish Cancer Society.

In education, sixth-year students will know their Leaving Cert options before the end of the week according to the Indo. Intensive talks are continuing between the Department of Education and the education partners about the final shape of assessment this year.

Lecturers say they have been forced to bring Dundalk IT management to the Labour Court for arbitration in a dispute which has seen exam results retained by the third level institution.

Transport workers in CIÉ are seeking additional annual leave next year in recognition of their contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic.

RTÉ reports that a renewed effort to build consensus on the island of Ireland around a shared future will come before Cabinet today in the form of what is being called a "comprehensive research project", which will "inform future Government strategy". The ESRI has been charged by the Government with helping to plan for greater economic social and environmental cooperation.

And finally, pensioners are calling on the Government to “give them a voice” and back a proposed new law seeking to hand retired workers greater rights over their pensions. A representative from the ESB Retired Staff Association said changes to the law were needed as former workers do not have any place to go with grievances when their pensions come under attack.

The Jam bring us our Zen on this welcome sunny morning. "A Town called Malice" is 39 years old this year. I'm looking forward to the day when we can all dance to this together, rather than just in our kitchens. 

Have a good day folks.