The Chief Medical Officer expects to see a rapid increase in cases of Covid 19 over the coming days.
Tony Holohan says Omicron now accounts for almost three quarters of cases in Ireland and yesterday's high number of cases was not unexpected.
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People in their 30s will be eligible for a booster vaccine from Wednesday.
16-29 year olds who received the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine will also be able to get their dose.
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Motorists are advised to set out early, with traffic delays expected as people drive home this Christmas Eve.
The Road Safety Authority says 128 lives have been lost on the roads and over 900 people have been seriously injured.
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Christmas spending is back to 2019 levels, according to Chambers of Commerce Ireland.
It estimated close on seven million Euro per hour was spent yesterday on what was deemed the busiest shopping day of the year.
