The Government roadmap for fully opening schools features heavily this morning. While some clarification is needed on specific items, unions have broadly welcomed the proposals. Fórsa issued a statement after the announcement last night. Read that here.

Representatives of Ryanair, Aer Lingus, the DAA and Shannon Group will speak to the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid 19 response when it meets later today. The DAA will tell TDs and Senetors that passengers from non-green list countries should prove they have tested negative for coronavirus before travelling here. 

The Indo reports that the the South East will finally have its own University by January 2022 and it will include a Wexford campus.

The letters section of The Irish Times makes for some interesting reading this morning, following the announcement that three super junior ministers will receive an allowance of €16,000 for serving as Ministers for State. The Government has defended its much criticised decision, ironically citing pay parity - equal pay for equal work. Do I detect an air of do as I say, not as I do?

ICTU has called on Government to commit to a review of employment legislation to ensure protections are fit for purpose for remote working in the post-pandemic world of work.

Elsewhere, Google announced yesterday that it will allow most employees to work from home until July 2021 in response to the ongoing pandemic.

A new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute has concluded that road transport drivers, care workers, security guards, and farmers are particularly vulnerable to the worst outcomes if they become infected with Covid-19. The report urges the State and private industry to design and implement innovative strategies to protect those workers who are most vulnerable to severe illness. 

Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien will bring a bill before the Dáil that would extend protections for tenants who have lost income due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

And finally, Andrew Cotter brings us our zen this morning, with the latest instalment from his lovable labs.