“What the guidelines fail to take into account is the fact that you could have a small chapel on the side of a mountain in rural Ireland that can barely hold 50 people, and you could have a cathedral in a city that can contain thousands” – Peadar Tóibín TD.

I welcome this news and like other priests in Ireland I am greatly looking forward to celebrating public Mass and the sacraments soon with our congregations – Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland.

Churches can now open for private and personal prayer, provided the necessary precautions are in line with the guidelines.

“People are able to connect with Knock ... There is a lot of loneliness and isolation and you really get the sense that Knock is something that they are able to hold onto,” said Maria Casey.

Over the decade from 2007 to 2017, government restrictions on religion – laws, policies and actions by state officials that restrict religious beliefs and practices – increased markedly around the world, says report.

Attempt to force repeal of “the last remaining constitutional protection for the unborn" defeated by 74 to 23 in Dáil.