GOOD MORNING.

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

Childcare

1. There have been up to 175 times in which at least one room in a Co Meath crèche has closed due to staffing shortages since October last year, parents of children who attend the centre have said.

One parent told The Journal that there have been 176.5 days in which at least one room in the centre has closed since October last year.

Bill Kenneally

2. The final report of the Commission of Investigation examining the years of sexual abuse perpetrated by Bill Kenneally and how complaints about his crimes were handled by authorities is due to be published later today.

The final draft report was sent to the Minister and Secretary General at the Department of Justice in March. It will go to cabinet today before being published online at lunchtime.

FAI

3. Tánaiste Simon Harris has urged the FAI to “bring clarity” over the prospect of Ireland’s controversial home fixture against Israel being moved to a neutral venue.

Meanwhile, the Stop the Game campaign group has issued a pre-action legal letter to the FAI, Sport Ireland, the Minister for Sport and the Minister for Justice over their “collective failure” to stop the fixtures. 

Defence Forces

4. The government is set to press ahead with plans to remove the Triple Lock governing overseas deployments of Irish troops today.

It’s a move that is expected to trigger a fierce political row with opposition parties over the State’s long-standing policy of military neutrality.

Industrial action

5. As many as 14 scheduled open-heart surgeries that were to take place this week will face delays as cardiac specialist staff are striking over the HSE’s failure to implement a Labour Court recommendation on their pay.

Perfusionists play a vital role in cardiac surgeries that take place across five hospital sites in Ireland, including the Crumlin Children’s hospital.

Housing

6. Minister for Housing James Browne has launched a public consultation and sought an environmental report on his controversial plans to replace planning guidelines for apartments.

It comes after the proposed guidelines were met with a legal challenge arguing they broke the law by failing to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Rail safety

7. Irish Rail has said there have been 31 incidents at level crossings so far this year.

Of those, 11 have resulted to injury in the person crossing or damage to the crossing.

World Cup

8. Omar Artan, an award-winning Somali referee, has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States.

Fifa confirmed that Artan, who was refused entry to the US after arriving at Miami International Airport on Saturday, would now play no part in the tournament.

Expensive nap

9. Staying in the US, Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to attend – and fall asleep – at an NBA Finals game Monday night.

During the national anthem at Madison Square Garden Trump was loudly booed by basketball fans, which appeared to cause the president to stop clapping.