FM @DUPleader : “We will have very difficult decisions to take. We will take whatever action is needed based on medical evidence available.” FM: We will listen closely to CMO & CSA. I had hoped we weren’t going to be in this place. Gatherings over Christmas period & huge crowds at Portrush & Portstewart are regrettable.

Mon Jan 4th

📊7day rate: 664.7 / 100k

🦠12 new deaths
🦠1,801 new cases

🔹+296 Belfast
🔹+252 Armagh B&C
🔹+220 Newry M Down
🔹+170 M.Ulster
🔹+142 M&E Antrim
🔹+138 Ant N’abbey
🔹+131 Causeway
🔹+117 Derry Strabane
🔹+105 Ards N Down
🔹+93 Lisburn & C’reagh
🔹+93 Ferm & Omagh Tue Jan 5th

📊7day rate: 663.6 / 100k

🦠1,378 new cases
🦠18 new deaths

🔹+241 Newry M Down
🔹+221 Belfast
🔹+171 Armagh B&C
🔹+140 M.Ulster
🔹+119 Ant N’abbey
🔹+117 Derry Strabane
🔹+86 M&E Antrim
🔹+79 Ards N Down
🔹+61 Ferm & Omagh
🔹+52 Lisburn & C’reagh
🔹+51 Causeway

#Coronavirus in Republic of Ireland
January 1st 2021

1,754 new cases in past 24 hours

11 new deaths confirmed by @roinnslainte

The NI Dept of Health is not publishing data today.

#Covid19 .@CMOIreland : The most concerning trend at present is the rapidly increasing number of people being admitted to hospital - we are now admitting between 50 – 70 people a day to our hospital system. Unfortunately, we expect this to get worse before it gets better.

NI Secretary @BrandonLewis says the UK Gov is “fully committed to implementing the Withdrawal Agreement & Northern Ireland Protocol”. .@UKLabour’s @LouHaigh : Some fear the PM is using NI as a political football.

“How can the people of NI trust this Gov when they suggest the Protocol is necessary & then try to undermine it.”

🚨 THIS JUST HAPPENED.

Former NI Secretary @OwenPaterson has quoted Michael Collins - in Westminster - as he voices his support for the #Brexit deal.

He ended it by saying "I hope I don't follow the fate of Michael Collins". @OwenPaterson Owen Paterson : "Michael Collins in the Dáil Eireann on 19th Dec 1921 said something which pretty reflects my views this evening."

.@DUPleader has been addressing the @DubCham of Commerce this evening.

She said she respected the fact that Ireland has sought to bring about solutions which would keep the UK in the closest possible future relationship with the EU.... But.... “equally Ireland has to recognise that the referendum result has to be upheld and that ultimately it is for the Government of the UK to determine whether future arrangements are compatible with the referendum result.”

Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar says he trusts @BorisJohnson and they remain in contact:

“We will fight for a deal to the last moment - but not at any cost.” .@LeoVaradkar declines to be drawn on #TheTimes story or any specific proposals.

He does say that the gap between the EU & UK remains very wide.

Leo Varadkar : If @BorisJohnson means what he says about leaving with a deal, then he will have to depart from what he said this week. #Brexit #MacGill19 @BorisJohnson .@LeoVaradkar says we can't rule out the possibility of an election in the UK. Says the current Irish gov is on its third UK PM. He jokes we may see a 4th.

#Brexit #MacGill19 #MacGill2019

Tonight......

DUP MP Ian Paisley faces new questions over trips to the Maldives in a special BBC Spotlight investigation.

Paisley in Paradise : Revisited. 10.35pm on @BBCOneNI

🚨🚨 Tonight #SpotlightNI has new information about Ian Paisley’s trip to the Maldives.

Who paid for it? And were there other trips?

Tune into @lyndseytelford investigation on @BBCOneNI now.

Northern Ireland's pro-remain parties are meeting @theSNP @LibDems & @Plaid_Cymru in London today. They will meet Labour leader @jeremycorbyn this afternoon.

#brexit DUP deputy leader @NigelDoddsDUP: “Sinn Fein will turn up today at Westminster, do a couple of meetings, talk in front of the cameras and then disappear until they repeat the exercise in another couple of weeks. It’s a con job and a classic example of stunt politics."

Tánaiste Simon Coveney says “we cannot allow one party in Northern Ireland to veto #brexit proposals.” In reference to the DUP. He says DUP accept NI “isn’t Kent or a borough in London.” .@simoncoveney tells @MarianRTE Sinn Féin’s call for a #borderpoll isn’t helpful and flames fear in unionists. Says Irish gov doesn’t want to threaten integrity of the UK