It comes as government ministers and businesses grapple with the 20 per cent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

Simon Harris held a late-night call with Howard Lutnick a number of weeks ago.

Since the scandal emerged, Minister for the Arts Patrick O’Donovan has said is among issues that have caused “huge embarrassment” to his department in recent times

The National Gallery bought an X-ray system valued at €124,805 in November 2017 which has never been used and is being stored in its basement.

The committee will ensure that the review process is robust, fair and transparent, and will lead to practical, actionable recommendations to improve the Arts Council’s governance arrangements.

The Minister explained that the project was “drawn to shuddering end" in July last year, and the secretary general at that stage initiated an internal review, which Mr O’Donovan had published

‘I do want to recognise the really good work the Arts Council does do,’ Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said.

The Arts Minister said there are a range of ‘fundamental questions’ about governance and culture within the Arts Council.

Speaking at the official sod turning of ground of a new Garda Station in Newcastle West, Patrick O'Donovan said a motorway between the two counties should be constructed “as soon as possible”.

The theme of this year's Science Week is 'regeneration' with a public call to celebrate our innate ability to reinvent, rejuvenate and regenerate.

Patrick O’Donovan also said the statistics for this year’s Leaving Cert are ‘quite positive’.

Mr O’Donovan was speaking on RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show in response to Green Party complaints about the behaviour of Fine Gael during the campaign

Heather Humphreys visited business owners and householders in Carlingford on Friday.