Share this article
The Taoiseach says the European Commission s U-turn on plans to invoke Article 16 has avoided reciprocal action from Britain.
It comes after plans were set out to block vaccine exports from EU states in the Commission s row with pharma firm AstraZeneca.
That was met with anger from politicians north and south of the Border in Ireland.
There were calls from Unionists for restrictions on trade across the Irish Sea to be dropped, with Northern Ireland s First Minister Arlene Foster stating that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson must replace the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Micheál Martin, who had spoken to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about the matter, welcomed the reversal from the EU.
EU backtracks on decision to block supply of vaccines to Northern Ireland
independent.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from independent.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Taoiseach contacts EU over plans to block vaccine supply to Northern Ireland
independent.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from independent.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Share this article
There have been 1,378 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the Republic, according to the Department of Health.
23 further deaths associated with the virus have also been reported in the past 24 hours.
The latest figures bring the total amount of cases here to 187,554, while the number of coronavirus-related deaths stands at 2,970.
The median age of those who died is 84 and the age range is 61 to 99 years.
Of the latest cases, 58% are under 45 years of age, while the median age is 39 years old.
Regarding the nationwide distribution of cases, 379 are in Dublin, 145 in Cork, 86 in Wexford, 85 in Galway, 71 in Limerick, and the remaining 612 cases are spread across all other counties.
);
How has trade between Ireland and Great Britain been affected in the first two weeks of Brexit?
More than 70% of trucks are completing paperwork before moving goods, and are being ‘green-lighted’ to leave Irish ports. By Gráinne Ní Aodha Sunday 17 Jan 2021, 6:30 AM Jan 17th 2021, 6:30 AM 39,839 Views 44 Comments
A police officer checks the Covid-19 test results of a driver as lorries arrive at the Port of Dover one week after Brexit.
Image: PA Images
A police officer checks the Covid-19 test results of a driver as lorries arrive at the Port of Dover one week after Brexit.
Image: PA Images