LAST UPDATE | 18 Feb

GOOD MORNING.

Here’s all the news you need to know to start the day. 

The forever rain

1. A Status Yellow rain warning is in place for some 17 counties this morning and will remain in place until late tonight.

However, due to the already saturated ground, all areas will remain at risk of flooding whether or not a yellow rain warning is in place for a county.

SNA backlash

2. The review into Special Needs Assistants, which was quickly paused by government yesterday, was the talk of Leinster House with government backbench TDs voicing their anger, reports our Political Editor Christina Finn.

Social media restrictions

3. The Government will discuss plans later today confirming it will introduce age restrictions on the use of social media for teenagers.

Mad for road (and maybe public transport?)

4. The government has announced its €1.5 billion roads programme, with Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien arguing that a 2:1 ratio on public transport versus new road projects is still being maintained despite criticism.

Shadow Fleet inspections

5. The Russia ambassador to Ireland has criticised Defence and Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee for what he called a Leinster House “obsession” regarding the “Russian threat”.

Scramblers

6. Gardaí seized drugs, weapons and dozens of illegal bikes and scramblers during a coordinated day of action in Ballymun yesterday, as pressure continues to mount for tougher laws around scrambler use in public spaces.

Welfare campaign

7. The ‘welfare cheats’ government campaign pushed by Leo Varadkar nine years ago temporarily weakened belief in Ireland that social benefits help prevent poverty, according to the State’s think tank.

Remote work

8. Fine Gael TD Emer Currie argues today that instead of chasing an “unworkable” legal entitlement to remote work, Ireland should instead focus on becoming a global hub for high-value remote-first jobs.

Racism mars Champions League match

9. Vinicius Junior said “racists are cowards” after the Brazil forward was allegedly abused during Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Benfica. The allegation led to a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes.