“Ah, we are not doing much, only seeking to determine the future course of our country” — a quip from one senior politician when asked how the talks have been going, amid chatter that the two sides are simply sitting around drinking tea all day. The routine has become the same, writes Daniel McConnell.

In a recent compelling but largely ignored speech, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe made a strong claim to the political centre ground, heralding, in his view, the rise of the moderate.

Such hostility is predictable when you remember that just 19 women have sat at the Cabinet table, the top table in Irish politics, writes Daniel McConnell.

JUST how long can this farce continue? This is a Government struggling for life and no longer able to guarantee the passage of its legislation.

A decade on from having to be bailed out, the Irish banking sector remains unchastened, arrogant, and completely oblivious to the needs of the country and its own customers, writes Daniel McConnell

Last Monday, word emerged that Fine Gael junior minister Catherine Byrne was on the verge of voting against the Government.

WHAT a bun fight it has turned out to be.

The grand hypocrisy of the so-called hard left in Ireland was exposed this week, suggests Daniel McConnell.

Fine Gael want to start the talks now to avoid disaster with Brexit looming and Fianna Fail does not want to speak before the final budget of the three-year deal, writes <b>Daniel McConnell</b>