Dublin

The real-estate tycoon Ivan Ko has proposed plans to build a city from scratch on Ireland between Dublin and Belfast for 50,000 emigrants from Hong Kong.

Originally he had planned to find a 500 sq km site to build his vision for 500,000 Hongkongers but drastically scaled that down after he talked to the Irish government. He stated that "we found out that replicating the Hong Kong model was not suitable, as if we were imposing something, and that Hong Kong people would be seen as segregated from the rest of the population. So we changed to another model".

The new city will be called Nextpolis and follow the political system of the host country and should integrate with local business as he wants to build a "new city to let Hong Kong people live together" and "maximise the benefits to both sides".

The Dáil is meeting this morning, and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is expected to be elected Taoiseach, heading a new coalition government involving his party, Fine Gael and the Green Party.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have their origins in the Irish Civil War almost 100 years ago and have never been in coalition together.

After the deal was endorsed on Friday evening, Mr Martin described it as a "moment of opportunity and hope".

The meeting will take place at the Convention Centre Dublin, rather than at Leinster House to allow for social distancing required during the Covid-19 pandemic.