It’s a busy week for Government Ministers as they liaise with their international counterparts over the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Cabinet is meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss further supporting Ukraine through EU channels.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee will also update Ministers on the plans for dealing with refugees coming to Ireland.
On Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there will not be a limit on the number of refugees Ireland will take in.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the Government will consider what can be done about Russia's diplomatic presence in Ireland.
The Government has tabled a Dáil motion to express support for the “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Ukraine and statements will be heard later on Tuesday in Leinster House.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will face questioning from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions with the Ukraine crisis expected to dominate.
Cabinet is also expected to approve new defamation laws which will implement significant changes in the way libel cases operate.
And although it is no longer the major news story, Covid-19 has not gone away.
The country will take a while to adapt to people no longer having to wear face masks in regulated settings, which came to an end on Monday.
The Government is discussing a four-step plan on how the country will manage the disease into the future.
Coalition leaders were briefed on Monday evening by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn.
Sources have said the meeting was brief and Dr Glynn said there is no evidence yet to show the Omicron sub-variant is more severe than Omicron.
However, the view is that it is more transmissible.
A source said that the meeting was quick and brief and the “disease remains stable and there are no major red flags.”
The four-step plan is a long-term plan on how the Government and health service can react to any future drastic changes with the disease particularly if a concerning variant threatens the progress of the disease here and globally.
The State’s vaccine advisory body, NIAC, is also expected to give an update on whether people will need an annual Covid-19 vaccine to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
It’s understood the advice may come next week and is likely to suggest vulnerable people will need an annual jab in winter, a second source said.
NIAC are also considering whether a fourth Covid vaccine may be required.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is also to speak to his Cabinet colleagues about a potential referendum on the right to housing.
The Government’s Housing for All plan included a commitment to establish a Housing Commission that would bring forward proposals for a referendum.
Minister O’Brien will visit the Housing Commission on Tuesday.
