The easing of restrictions features heavily in today's papers with comments from both An Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and various health officials. Ultimately, senior figures from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) informed government officials yesterday of concerns over the rise in the number of tests carried out, the positivity rate and hospitalisations in recent days.

Reported by both the Irish Times and Business Post, The European Commission has presented a suite of proposals to radically reduce trade barriers between Northern Ireland and Britain which have developed as a result of Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol.

Children's hospitals in Dublin are under pressure according to the Independent. The overstretched hospitals in Temple Street, Crumlin, and Tallaght are all trying to manage an influx of children suffering from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other seasonal viruses that can cause bronchiolitis.

The Independent also reports that Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is pushing for a 2pc cap on the rising of rental prices that could be signed off by the Cabinet by the end of this month.

Rising Covid cases are causing anxiety for GPs according to the Examiner. The Covid lead for the Irish College of General Practitioners, Dr Mary Favier has said that the rising number of Covid cases has caused “a ripple of anxiety” for GPs as non-Covid care has been “displaced”

The rollout of the National Broadband plan is set to miss its target by 50,000 homes this year according to the Examiner. Chair of the Public Accounts Committee Brian Stanley bemoaned the progress to date as "totally unsatisfactory".

ZEN

Yesterday Adele announced her brand new highly-anticipated album named "30" will be released on November 19th. Her previous album "25" contained mega-hits such as 'Hello' and 'When We Were Young' so expect the same from her new work. Adele announced the news on social media saying: "I've learned a lot of blistering truths about herself on the way, I've shed many layers but also wrapped myself in new ones. Discovered genuinely useful and wholesome mentalities to lead with, and I fell like I've finally found my feeling again." At least there's something to look forward to! In anticipation of the album release, I've attached a video below which many have seen before but has always put a smile on my face. Here's Adele surprising a group of Adele impersonators when she impersonated....Adele