The decision was described as having been taken because of the ongoing risk and uncertainty regarding bluetongue in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said it highlighted that people cannot be complacent.

The Gaelic games correspondent lost his father and grandfather to heart attacks.

Concern has been expressed about a rise in admissions in Ireland, with 869 in hospital with flu on Sunday compared to 530 a week previously.

MLAs are debating a motion calling for a full independent inquiry into delays to the completion of the new maternity and children’s hospital projects.

The Fine Gael leader said no detail had been given around the Fianna Fáil plan and said he would be opposed to it.

The Taoiseach said a Covid evaluation will ‘get to the bottom’ of the country’s response to the pandemic.