Varadkar believes HSE is ready for a virus rise; homecomings at Dublin Airport

Winter health pressures

In order to deal with the growing winter strains on the State's health system, the Taoiseach has instructed the HSE to deploy all available resources as soon as possible, including the potential use of private hospitals.

Leo Varadkar suggested using overtime to lessen patients' suffering and annoyance during a meeting he had with HSE executives on Friday.

The Taoiseach emphasised that there were about 1,000 more hospital beds available than there were two years ago and stressed that the government had made arrangements for a significant rise in patients during the winter months.

Holiday travel

On Friday, which is anticipated to be the biggest travel day over the Christmas holiday, some 98,000 passengers are anticipated to arrive and depart through Dublin Airport.

Over the next 12 days, the airport will see more than 1 million passengers, according to the operator DAA.

According to DAA's public relations manager, Graeme McQueen, travel numbers will be up by about 95% from the same time last year.

Varadkar and the North Irish

Leo Varadkar has vowed that he won't let any personal safety worries stop him from travelling to the North.

Following his second election as Taoiseach last week, Mr. Varadkar has faced intense opposition from some loyalist and unionist groups who believe he played a key role in the development of the problematic Northern Ireland Protocol as part of the UK's post-Brexit trade agreement.

The Fine Gael leader said he aims to travel to Northern Ireland in the early new year as he signalled that resolving the impasse over the protocol is his priority.