Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you really need to know by 9am.

1. #AER LINGUS: Talks between the Irish Airline Pilots Union and Aer Lingus over the introduction of new rosters on Tuesday have broken down overnight, RTÉ reports - and with no plans to get them going again, there could be days of air travel chaos ahead. Aer Lingus has already started offering refunds or free booking changes as strike action is set to begin on Tuesday.

2. #WATER: The current stretch of hot weather might be nice for now – but a prolonged spell without rain could see our councils forced to ration water. The Irish Daily Mail reports that water reservoirs are already at 80 per cent of their capacity – and if they get down to 50 per cent, rationing will need to be introduced.

3. #WIKILEAKS: Former members of the IRA created a major property empire across four countries – the profits of which were invested back into paramilitary activities, the Irish Independent reports, citing cables provided by WikiLeaks.

4. #E-COLI: EU officials say the rate of infections of the new strain of E-coli has already slowed down – prompting optimism that the worst of the current batch of infection might be over. It is still thought inevitable, however, that the bug will eventually make its way to Ireland.

5. #RACE FOR THE ÁRAS: Pat Cox is to become a member of Fine Gael in a bid to secure the party’s presidential nomination, the Irish Independent reports. His only opponent will be Mairéad McGuinness, after her fellow MEP Seán Kelly yesterday ruled himself out of the running.

6. #QUEEN’S VISIT: Not to be outdone by the citizens of Cork who got a complimentary letter from the Queen earlier this week, Dublin has now also received a letter from Her Majesty thanking the public for a “warm and memorable welcome”.

7. #GREECE: The second set of bailout loans for the cash-strapped Greek economy could come on the condition that the EU wins the right to amend the Greek tax regime, the Irish Times reports. If that’s true, the prospect of a second bailout for Ireland – and the ongoing battle to keep the 12.5 per cent corporation tax rate – could become a very hot topic.

8. #LIBYA: NATO has launched helicopter strikes on Libya for the first time, striking military vehicles, equipment and forced backing Muammar Gaddafi, according to Al-Jazeera. Sky News adds that British Apache helicopters were involved.

9. #TOP MAN: If you’re spending the day lounging out in the sun, spare a thought for Matt Loughrey who is climbing Croagh Patrick – for the 365th time in 365 days. Loughrey’s epic trek has been a fundraising effort for the St Vincent de Paul.