2,000 of the Retained Firefighter service will begin industrial action today with up to half of stations in the service set to be closed.
SIPTU which represents the workers is warning the action will result in very serious disruption to services.
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This morning will see the first public meeting of the joint Oireachtas Committee on assisted dying.
The committee is expected to consider hearings for around nine months.
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The Women of Honour group say government is still 'not on the same page' as them about an inquiry into abuse within the Defence Forces.
The group met with the Taoiseach and Tanaiste last night, the press for a full public inquiry.
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There has been a surge in the numbers of family carers as figures reveal a 53% increase in those providing unpaid care.
86,000 people provide more than 43 hours of care each week.
The figures from the latest census report come as National Carers Week gets underway.
