In the ongoing ESB dispute, network technicians belonging to the Independent Workers Union have extended their pickets to work locations which had not previously been picketed. The IWU network technicians commenced their latest two-day strike at 8am, which they say centres on the company's failure to consult adequately on the outsourcing of certain work.

Healthcare staff who refuse to be vaccinated face redeployment under proposals being examined by the Health Service Executive. Staff who fail to confirm they are vaccinated could be moved out of patient contact depending on the outcome of a risk assessment, under proposals being finalised.

The Chairperson of Údarás na Gaeltachta has called for the introduction of maternity leave for members of state boards. Although the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality recently voted to recommend the introduction of maternity leave for elected representatives, their proposal did not include members of State Boards.

Meanwhile, An Post has announced that it will implement price increases which were delayed last year in response to the pandemic. The company was due to drive up the cost of postage in February 2020 but it was delayed as part of its public service measures for consumers and business during the lockdown.

Cabinet has approved the new Affordable Housing Bill brought forward by Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, although aspects of the bill, including its shared equity scheme for first-time buyers, have been criticised.

In somewhat better news, Ireland’s first contactless milk vending machine is now up and operating at Dromiskin, Co Louth.

The ancient Roman Colosseum is once again going to have a floor thanks to a new hi-tech project. The project, launched by Italy's culture ministry, aims to create a flexible floor to give tourists a clearer idea of how the arena would have looked when gladiators fought there, walking on it and go to the centre of the Colosseum, seeing it in the same way as visitors used to up to the end of the 19th century.

And finally, our zen today marks 65 years of Elvis Presley scoring his first US No.1 single and album with 'Heartbreak Hotel' when it went to the top of the charts on this day. 'Heartbreak Hotel' became his first million-seller, and went on to become the best-selling single of 1956. Enjoy!