EACH WEEKDAY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you the five stories you need to know before you hit the road.

1. #THAT’S LIKE, YOUR OPINION: The government got more popular today in the first opinion poll of the year, climbing five percentage points.

2. #BRRRRR: It’s been cold and snowy across Ireland, creating problems on roads, but also making for some lovely images.

3. #TROLLEYWATCH: The Health Minister says that the number of people on trolleys is at a seven-year low today. Leo Varadkar said, however, that the issue remains a “chronic problem”.

4. #METERS TO GO: Irish Water says that its meters are designed to last for 15 years, and that they will not repeat the metering programme.

5. #ISIS: A number of young Irish people are leaving the country to fight for the Islamic State group, an MEP has claimed. Brian Hayes says that the issue could only be addressed by inclusion.

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The 5 at 5 5 minutes, 5 stories, 5 o’clock.

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.