EVERY MORNING, TheJournal.ie brings you the stories you need to know as you wake up.

1. #BLANCHARDSTOWN: A motorcyclist has died after colliding with a crash barrier on the M50.

2. #ATHENS: Greek banks are preparing to reopen after a three-week shutdown, but capital controls remain largely in place while citizens also face widespread price hikes.

3. #UNVOUCHED: Ministers haven’t had to give a full explanation for more than half of their almost €1.4 million in expenses, according to a new analysis of figures.

4. #PICK UP: Irish Water has denied accusations that the utility has started calling people who have not yet paid their bills.

5. #PARENTS: New legislation will allow as many as 50,000 adopted people to access their birth certificate, The Irish Times reports. It will be designed to strike a balance between the rights of parents and adopted people.

6. #KILDARE STREET: The Irish Daily Mail reports Leinster House is due to undergo a refurbishment that could cost as much as €10 million. It will include a temporary relocation of the Seanad.

7. #TAKE OFF: A price war is set to erupt between Ryanair and Aer Lingus, according to the Irish Independent. The former will announce new winter services to tackle IAG’s takeover of Aer Lingus.

8. #PRISONERS: Japan’s Mitsubishi corporation has made a landmark apology to US POWs forced to work in its mines during World War II, seven decades after the conflict.

9. #BANANAS: Twink is taking a break from acting to focus on baking cakes. The panto star told The Irish Sun that she is now in talks to sell a signature banoffee pie nationwide.