Sky News is to launch a daily news programme for Irish viewers of the channel, it has been announced.

The bulletin - to broadcast each weekday at 9pm - will feature Irish news, weather and sport as well as UK and international reports. Additionally, a news review of the week's major events will air at weekends.

The new service will be hosted jointly from new studio facilities in Dublin and Sky's Millbank studios in London by two Irish presenters.

The programme will be seen in Ireland via Sky Digital and cable and in the UK via Sky News Active.

"Since it began broadcasting in 1989, Sky News has always played an important role with Irish viewers," said Sky News head Nick Pollard. "The launch of the service is a natural progression which we hope will enhance this relationship and increase Sky News' relevance to the viewer."