​Fourteen streets are to be pedestrianised and €2 million is being invested in cycling infrastructure as part of a plan to help businesses in Cork city recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Street furniture and outdoor dining facilities for around 1,000 people are also being provided under the plan, which is being sponsored by Cork City Council.

​McDonald's has reopened the dine-in areas at 32 of its restaurants in the Republic of Ireland.

New health and safety measures at the 32 restaurants include serving customers via table service only and asking customers who choose to eat-in to leave the name of the lead member of their group, the number of people in their group, a phone number, the date and time of their visit, and the restaurant number, which is identified by a sticker on each table. Customers will be asked to leave these details by using their smart phone to either scan a QR code taking them to a dedicated webpage or by visiting that webpage directly with the URL details provided on each table.

Hoteliers have expressed concerns that the stimulus package announced by the Government does not go far enough to support Irish tourism and safeguard the livelihoods of the 270,000 employed by the industry throughout the country.

IHF President Elaina Fitzgerald Kane “While measures to stimulate consumer demand are welcome, we have serious doubts about how effective the ‘Stay and Spend’ tax credit scheme will be in stimulating consumer demand. It seems overly cumbersome and convoluted, and we are urgently seeking further clarification from the Government on how the measure will operate.”

The Government has announced the July Jobs Stimulus, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19.

​Launching the Jobs Stimulus, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD said: 'The stimulus package announced today will protect existing jobs while creating new and sustainable employment options in the months and years ahead.  These measures will support small and medium businesses, give young people greater opportunities in training and education, support workers who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic and rejuvenate communities worst affected by the economic impact of the virus.  This is a comprehensive plan which will boost the economy and bring confidence back to towns and villages across Ireland.'

• ​DATE:              FRIDAY 28th AUGUST
• VENUE:          TULFARRIS GOLF RESORT, BLESSINGTON, CO. WICKLOW
• TEE TIMES:    11:00-13:30hrs

Book your place today for the Annual IFSA Golf Classic. The IFSA golf outing is competitive and friendly. Single Stableford format will be used.

To ensure adherence to all current safety guidelines, there will be no formal sit-down dinner at this year’s event. Each 3-ball will be invited to a designated area in the bar for a light meal following your round. Score cards will be collected from this area and we will announce the winners and deliver prizes to our top golfers during the week following the event.

​The Government will announce its long-awaited stimulus plan on Thursday with a package of about €7 billion including capital spending, welfare and employment supports, grants and tax cuts.

In a boost to the domestic hotel and restaurant industry, the plan is expected to include a “staycation voucher” scheme where consumers will be able to claim a tax refund of up to €125 when they spend in the region of €600 on accommodation, food or non-alcoholic drinks.

​Following a meeting of the Cabinet this evening, the Government has agreed that the following countries be included as Normal Precautions on the Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Advice:

​Malta, Finland, Norway, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Greece, Greenland, Gibraltar, Monaco, and San Marino.

European Union leaders have reached an "historic" deal on a massive stimulus plan for their coronavirus-hit economies at a pre-dawn meeting after a fractious summit that lasted almost five days.  

​Summit chairman Charles Michel tweeted "Deal" shortly after the 27 leaders finally reached agreement at a plenary session.  "This agreement sends a concrete signal that Europe is a force for action," Mr Michel said at a dawn news conference.