Every afternoon, TheJournal.ie brings you 5 things you really need to know by 5pm.

1. #FÁS: Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has told the Dáil that she hopes to disband FÁS in the new year and replace it with a newly-constituted training authority. Coughlan hopes the newly-established agency will assume a ‘fresh mandate’ to assume the training work currently undertaken by the training and employment authority.

2. #METRO NORTH: An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the Metro North project, the largest rail construction project in the history of the state. The multi-billion-euro project was approved by the planning authority in a 1,700-page ruling issued this morning, which declined permission for two of the stations planned.

3. #COURTS: The four politicians arrested on corruption charges earlier in the week are to face trial. Former senator and councillor Don Lydon, former councillor Colm McGrath, Independent councillor Tony Fox and former Fine Gael TD Liam Cosgrave are charged with receiving corrupt payments in the 1990s in return for voting to rezone land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin. Businessman Jim Kennedy is also charged.

4. #FITNESS TO PRACTICE: A Medical Council Fitness to Practice committee is investigating complaints against five doctors on foot of complaints of a sexual nature. The Medical Independent reports that six cases – involving three GPs and two non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHD) are being investigated, with the first such case due to be heard in mid-November.

5. #BOND MARKETS: The cost of government borrowing breached the 7% barrier this morning, a new record for Ireland’s time in the euro, before falling off again later in the day. Having opened at a still-very-high 6.767% this morning, bond prices hit 7.07% within 90 minutes of opening and closed the day at 6.82%, a record closing value.