Around 59,000 homes and businesses are without power as Storm Barra continues to track across the country, with "dangerous and difficult" conditions remaining in some areas.

Coverage of all today's developments as Storm Barra continues to track across the country.

Business representative group Ibec has said the economy is going through a period of "exceptional growth" despite Covid-19.

Financial strain in families has been "strongly linked" to poorer mental health and well-being, according to the Growing Up in Ireland data.

Ireland contributed over €150m to the global response to Covid-19 in 2020. It was included in the country's total overseas development aid spend of €867m.

Since August, the Irish Government has granted 510 Afghan citizens with visas or visa waivers to travel to Ireland as part of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.

'We enjoy everything and we have a very beautiful life' - Afghan family speak of their new life in Ireland having fled war torn Kabul.

Olaf Scholz has become the new German chancellor, turning the page on 16 years with Angela Merkel at the helm as a new centre-left-led coalition takes the wheel of Europe's top economy.

The Omicron variant has been reported in 57 nations, with Covid cases rising in southern Africa including Zimbabwe, and the number of patients needing hospitalisation is likely to rise as it spreads, the World Health Organization has said.

The Health Service Executive has said that people may be getting several appointments for a Covid-19 booster vaccine from multiple sources, even if they have already been vaccinated.

Australia will not send officials to February's Winter Olympics in Beijing, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said, joining a US diplomatic boycott of the Games.

The Policing Authority has expressed serious concerns about the possible impact on human rights of a law extending garda powers.

A ceremony will be held in New York tonight to mark the opening of the newly renovated Irish Arts Centre.

The food service sector in Ireland will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023 at the earliest, according to a new report by Bord Bia.

There is a significant gap between climate action policy and climate action delivery by the Government, according to the Climate Change Advisory Council.

Sports tournaments dominated Google searches in Ireland this year, according to figures released by the online search engine.

The Department of Education has advised schools in multiple counties not to open on Wednesday to give time to assess the impact of Storm Barra.

People in Red and Orange weather alert areas have been urged to heed advice from authorities to remain at home until Storm Barra has passed after a nurse had a narrow escape when a tree fell on her car.

The Department of Health has been notified of 5,590 further Covid-19 cases.