Last night.

White House, Washington, USA.

US President Joe Biden marked his first year in office with a wide-ranging news conference defending his accomplishments as a poll showed the lowest approval ratings of his presidency.

He asked:

“What are Republicans for? What are they for? Name me one thing they’re for.”

Biden ends first year as president with ‘bleak, discouraging’ marks from the public (NBC)

This morning/afternoon.

Public Accounts Committee.

Seemed to go well.

RTÉ in talks with Google about payment for its content, but household broadcasting charge faces boycott (Independent.ie)

Meanwhile…

Austria’s chancellor Karl Nehammer

This afternoon.

Via Reuters:

Austria’s conservative government said it was launching a national lottery to encourage holdouts to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, hours before parliament passed legislation that would introduce a national vaccination mandate.

About 72% of the Austrian population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, one of the lowest rates in Western Europe.

Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer said at a press conference of the social democratic opposition leader Pamela Rendi Wagner, with whom the measure was being negotiated, said he wanted there to be a financial reward for getting vaccinated, adding: “We have learned from the past and we have seen that a vaccination lottery is the best possible way to set up such a system.”

It could be you.

Austria adds a lottery to COVID vaccine mandate to win over holdouts (Reuters)

Reuters

Above from left: Pauline Tully TD, Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin TD and Padraig Mac Louchlainn TD

This morning.

Leinster House, Dublin 2.

Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Housing Eoin O Broin TD launching to the media on the plinth a bill which would ensure that the past bad building by rogue developers would be considered when any new planning permissions are decided.

Deputy O’Broin said:

“We have seen how negligence or failure to build to an adequate standard has affected thousands of homeowners across the state.

“From Priory Hall, the Leinster pyrite defects, the pyrite and mica defective block scandal, fire safety and other structural defects in apartments and duplexes and dodgy home extensions, homeowners have been left questioning how these homes were allowed to be built in the first place.

“This bill is a small but important measure to put a stop to rogue builders with a record of bad building by enabling local councils and An Bord Pleanala to say no.”

Sinn Féin Bill to ensure rogue builders don’t get planning permission – Eoin Ó Broin TD (Sinn Fein)

Sam Boal/RollingNews

This afternoon.

Anyone?

Earlier…

This morning.

Via RTE news:

The Taoiseach said the current 8pm closing time for the hospitality sector is in place until the end of the month, but said he thinks people can “look forward to an earlier lifting of restrictions.”

However, he warned there are some elements of Covid-19 measures that may be kept, adding that there “could be another chapter and we need to be vigilant and mindful of that.”

Mr Martin said mask wearing will be an important feature and said he thinks that public health advice will maintain that.

He said the booster campaign will continue until April because so many who were infected with Omicron were unable to get the booster.

Taoiseach says some restrictions may be lifted next week (RTE)

This morning.

Mr Martin, tear down this wall.

Fight!

Earlier: “There Could Be Another Chapter

Yesterday Covexit

Meanwhile…

Broadsheet.ie