Independent.ie reporters are bringing you the latest coronavirus stories you may have missed this lunchtime. Unite’s National Construction Branch held last an emergency online meeting last night, where it was decided that adequate social distancing measures cannot be maintained on sites during the current COVID-19 emergency. The trade union has called on the Government to close construction sites throughout the country, subject to a wage compensation scheme such as that proposed by ICTU. Commenting this morning, Unite’s Regional Officer for Construction Tom Fitzgerald said that reports from members indicated that proper social distancing is not, and realistically can not, be observed on construction sites. The National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) hospital at Portrane, Co Dublin is due to be operational this summer.

Source: Irish Independent March 24, 2020 12:56 UTC