Welcome to our COVID-19 live blog for February 16 as we will bring you all the latest updates on the pandemic in Ireland.
Today's COVID-19 case and death figures are expected to be released at approximately 5:30pm.
And earlier today it was revealed that the Government is planning to begin the reopening of schools from March 1.
Education Minister Norma Foley is expected to tell Cabinet that it is the "strong preference" of her department for students to return on a phased basis throughout the month.
It is understood she will speak to the Oireachtas Education sub-committee tomorrow about the Leaving Cert.
The news comes just hours after Micheál Martin promised again there will be a deal done on the Leaving Cert this week.
He said: “The students of Ireland require that” because of the “stress” and “anxious” times the stalling has caused.
The Taoiseach’s intervention again this morning will be seen as a warning shot to the teaching unions to get their house in order and strike a deal.
Talks are ongoing between Minister for Education, Norma Foley’s, department officials and representatives from the country’s two main secondary school teachers’ unions, the ASTI and TUI.
Mr Martin made a pledge last week in various interviews that there would be a resolution this week, but the unions have not budged since then.
The Taoiseach was speaking on his way into this week’s Cabinet meeting where the issue will be top of the agenda.
He told reporters including the Mirror outside Government Buildings: “I think it still holds in terms of clarity this week because the students of Ireland require that.
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