The resignation of Nessa Childers from the Parliamentary Labour Party is likely to fuel further uneasiness within that party.

The possible entry of Gay Byrne into the race for the presidency has generated a considerable amount of attention, especially in the light of recent reports that the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has promised Mr Byrne the backing of his party, which has essentially been behind the successful candidacy of all but one of our eight presidents.

FORMER government minister Ivor Callely got a “parachute payment” of €31,754 after stepping down from his job for accepting a free perk, it was revealed yesterday.