The week that was

MONDAY

GREEN Party deputy leader

Catherine Martin (pictured) voted against entering into official government formation talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

The Greens made the historic decision to begin formal negotiations with the two parties on how to form the next government.

The party’s leader, Eamon Ryan, will meet Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to begin negotiations.

TUESDAY

FINANCIAL supports and tax breaks will be examined to help keep workers at home after lockdown, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe (pictured) says.

The assistance will be on the table once it becomes clear how many people will continue to work from home beyond the crisis.

Mr Donohoe also said the national roll-out of broadband needs “even greater urgency” so people living in rural areas are not at a disadvantage.

WEDNESDAY

THE use of predictive grades to assess Leaving Cert students is on the agenda for a crunch meeting today as pressure mounts to abandon the traditional exams.

Education Minister Joe McHugh (pictured) will take part in the discussions with other education figures to explore the issues around the Leaving Certificate.

THURSDAY

A HSE nursing home has launched an investigation after a grieving family was given the personal effects of two other deceased residents among items belonging to their father, who died from Covid-19.

In an email to the family who made the traumatic discovery, the acting director of nursing at Clonskeagh Community Nursing home in Dublin described the incident as a “serious error”.

FRIDAY

A WHISTLEBLOWER in a HSE nursing home where 24 patients have died from Covid-19 has alleged strong enough efforts were not made to prevent fatalities.

The staff member, who works in St Mary’s nursing home in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, has claimed concerns about the welfare of residents were not listened to.

She said she first highlighted concerns with senior management in early March.