The Government has rejected suggestions of a five-year time limit on the Brexit backstop.

Business Minister Heather Humphreys has told Irish firms to “prepare for the worst” Brexit outcome, admitting: “We don’t know what’s going to happen on October 31.”

The Offaly county councillor topped the poll in the Birr constituency in the recent local elections.

Eamon Ryan has refused to rule a future coalition with either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, even though leading members of his party “do not trust them.”

Ireland's former Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton has said that social media platforms are actively resisting changes to legislation that would oblige them to prevent the sharing of terrorism content online.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has insisted he is not trying to block any of his front-line TDs from running in the European elections amid a flurry of rumours over the future of his most experienced colleagues.

A chorus of Fine Gael ministers has insisted the party is “election-ready”, with posters set to be printed at any time.

The opening ceremony for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) took place last night in Tryon, North Carolina and the first of thirteen days of action gets underway today. Endurance, Reining and Dressage are the disciplines kicking things off and Ireland is represented in all three.

This is a problem far bigger than Barry Walsh, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell

We have blindly embraced social media without fully knowing how to handle it and the outing of Barry Walsh’s online behaviour has proven that, writes Elaine Loughlin.

Lucinda Creighton has said she will not get involved in any campaign ahead of next year’s referendum on abortion.

Bertie had his kitchen cabinet. Enda had ‘Big’ Phil Hogan and a silent but deadly Michael Noonan. And, if comments from Kate O’Connell are to be believed, Leo has an entire choir, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Donohoe has solidified his position as a central player in Fine Gael and is now in pole position to be a contender the next time a leadership contest is held, writes Daniel McConnell

Political party Renua has announced it is now a pro-life party and has dropped its policy of affording a free vote to its elected officials on ‘matters of conscience’.

A year on from the last general election the ramshackle minority government continues to stumble from one damaging controversy to the next, writes Elaine Loughlin.

The sham of new politics is not confined to the smaller parties, writes Michael Clifford

Former Government Ministers received almost €4m in pension payments last year, according to Department of Finance figures.

Financial guru Eddie Hobbs is reported to have quit Renua, the party that failed to secure a single seat in the last general election.

The former head of strategy and communications with Renua Ireland has admitted he knew the party would make little ground in the general election, six months ahead of voters going to the polls.

Childcare, abortion, and support for small businesses will be key targets for newly elected Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell during her first term in the Dáil.

The big clear-out of Leinster House has begun after the public voted for a spring clean of TDs and ministers.

Lucinda Creighton saw fledgling party fail to return a single seat, writes Political Reporter Elaine Loughlin.

Making it back to Cork to vote was insanity. Me and my mum left Dublin at about half four, and crawled back over almost six hours.

The good news for self-employed business owners now that polling day has arrived is that all parties have committed to addressing the imbalance between PAYE and non-PAYE workers with Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Renua adopting the strongest stances.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Why should our limited garda resources be used to protect habitual criminals and drug dealers ? Let these gangsters kill each other off. It is beyond comprehension that criminals with 20/30 previous convictions are granted bail.

The Renua leader Lucinda Creighton has promised to be a watchdog in government, and says a "grand coalition" of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would lead to a "crony bonanza".

Campaigning continues today, with just four days left to go until the General Election.

Political Editor Daniel McConnell goes on the campaign trail in Dublin with Paschal Donohoe

Paul Bradford admits it’s going to be an uphill battle for the fledgling party, writes Sean O’Riordan

Have you seen that Labour ad yet? It's… interesting.

If you’ve opened a paper this morning, you may have noticed this startling collection of people staring up at you.