The tax scandal of the week is not so much the Paradise Papers but that we taxpayers have to foot the bill for the Waterford TD’s caveman interview technique, writes Clodagh Finn

No doubt the Alliance are damaged but the gang of five have shown far more to justify their time in Government, writes Daniel McConnell.

John Halligan has responded to those calling for his resignation following the controversy this week.

The country’s human rights chief has expressed disappointment that Skills Minister John Halligan tried to defend his discriminatory questioning of a prospective employee rather than simply accept that he was wrong.

Conflating a man’s character with one episode of poor judgment makes idiots of us all, says Áine Carroll.

The meek are promised that they shall inherit the earth. That distracting, deferred consolation, though of ever more questionable value, may transpire. 

Junior minister John Halligan has said he will not appeal the decision which found he discriminated against a female official in a job interview by asking if she was married.

The trip by Shane Ross, Finian McGrath and John Halligan to North Korea is definitely off — and it was only ever a project they had talked about and had never developed to a stage where they were going, according to the transport minister.

Speaking during Leaders' Questions in the Dail on Thursday, Mrs Fitzgerald said the comments which have cost the taxpayer €7,500 by way of a settlement fee, were unacceptable and should not have been made.

Mr Varadkar said Mr Halligan has his confidence. The support for the Taoiseach is significant and should see him keep his job.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has expressed confidence in Independent Alliance minister John Halligan who is facing calls to resign. Mr Halligan said he “regrets” asking an official if she was married in a job interview last year.

LATEST: Independent Alliance colleagues Shane Ross, Finian McGrath, Sean Canney and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran have tonight expressed their full confidence in Minister of State John Halligan.

Blaa's at the ready.

Latest: The Government says it does not support any visit to North Korea by a parliamentary delegation.

A minister has admitted “confidence is eroding” in the gardaí following the latest revelations that a further 500,000 breath tests were false.

Government Minister John Halligan has said the Garda Commissioner, Nóirín O'Sullivan, enjoys the minister's full support today, but we should “wait and see”.

Junior education minister John Halligan has conceded some parents who have applied to put their children on a school bus will have their applications rejected and will have to make alternative arrangements.

Juno McEnroe talks to Junior Minister John Halligan about the potential of our space technology sector, the future of the Coalition, and his relationship with Leo Varadkar

Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath has been left isolated by an Independent Alliance colleague after remarks that have sparked an unprecedented public row and split among the government grouping.

Latest: The Taoiseach has defended the planned small increase to the minimum wage.

A Junior Minister has said he would support Shane Ross if he pulled the plug on Government.

A junior Minister says patients in the South East are suffering cardiac emergencies have the right to better care.

Two Government ministers have backed plans for an imminent review of the religious patronage of more than a dozen hospitals across the country, after Health Minister Simon Harris publicly confirmed he is planning the move.

Minister of state for jobs and Independent Alliance TD John Halligan made the comment as he said there must now be a referendum on the eighth amendment.

The Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee has told junior minister for skills John Halligan to clarify why he criticised the group for examining financial issues at Waterford IT, amid claims of an attempt to block any investigation that may damage his constituency.

Minister John Halligan has called on gardaí to question any surviving Bon Secours nuns who ever worked at the Tuam mother-and-baby home, to establish whether a criminal investigation is warranted.

Junior Minister John Halligan is due to be married to his long-term partner in Cork next week.

A protest calling for cardiac services in the South-East is to go ahead today despite confirmation of a mobile cath lab for the region.

Junior Minister John Halligan has railed against “serious departmental interference” in the review which ruled out a second cardiac laboratory for University Hospital Waterford and has demanded a meeting with Health Minister Simon Harris as the issue again threatened the stability of the Government.

Health Minister Simon Harris has said he does not believe that the risk rating relating to cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) was changed prior to an independent review of the facility.

A consultant at University Hospital Waterford says the South East of the country is uniquely disadvantaged when it comes to cardiac care.

Fine Gael's deputy leader James Reilly has said Independent TD John Halligan should consider making "alternative arrangements for himself".

The Taoiseach has said there will not be a reversal of the decision on University Hospital Waterford.

Junior Minister John Halligan does not wish to resign from Government but said he may be forced to do so if promises over services at University Hospital Waterford are not fulfilled.

Independent Junior Minister John Halligan has warned he will "bring all hell down on top of the Government" if his demand is not met for a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford.

A second clinic review of cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford is expected to be carried out.

Resignation threats from John Halligan have bounced the Government into agreeing to a second review of cardiac services at Waterford Hospital to appease the junior minister and his supporters.

John Halligan is simply not suited to the job of being in government, writes Michael Clifford

The junior minister at the centre of a row over the cardiac care service in Waterford, says consultants there have rejected plans to expand it.