The long-delayed new National ­Maternity Hospital should open in “late 2028 to early 2029”, according to the latest ­forecast – even though construction of the main 244-bed facility has yet to start.

Dublin Airport's earliest wave of departures includes a Ryanair flight to Edinburgh at 5.55am, for example. A return flight departs Edinburgh the same day at 8.10pm. An early Madrid flight leaves at 6 ...