Detailed policy papers are to be exchanged this week between Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin in a bid to kickstart Government formation talks.

The nine-member group of independents have met with both Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin today and urged both leaders to “get on with it” in terms of forming a government.

A bitter personal row between Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin marred the first day’s sitting of the 33rd Dáil, which failed to elect a Taoiseach.

A new technical grouping of nine TDs has been formed in Dail Eireann which could play a crucial role in the coming negotiations regarding the formation of a new Government.

A number of non-party TDs told the Irish Examiner that they are “absolutely” open to talking with others about how to progress their election wish-lists.

The Independent Alliance has all been ended as Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced he is leaving the group.

A West Cork lake is to earn green credentials following a ban on petrol and diesel engine fishing boats in a bid to reduce anglers’ carbon footprints.

The idea was mooted over the weekend and has gained attention with government projections that a 1m EVs will be on Irish roads by 2030.

Last Tuesday we had the Budget. Next Saturday it's the Special GAA Congress. Michael Moynihan wondered if the former might influence thoughts at the latter.

Anglers in the north-east say they are 'terrified' that a mysterious virus could wipe out salmonid stocks across the country.

School secretaries have secured a breakthrough in their industrial action against the department of education.

A series of new rules from the advertising watchdog will clamp down on exaggerated claims of speed and coverage by broadband and mobile providers.

Politicians have clocked up more than €9m in expenses, claiming back everything from coffee to Irish language books to meals they hosted.

The total number of dogs that were euthanised in local authority pounds last year was 778.

The funds will be distributed to assist libraries in providing support to communities at risk of being socially excluded, marginalised or disadvantaged.

Politicians from all parties in Galway West have expressed opposition to a gold and silver mining bid in protected Connemara habitats.

When Health Minister Simon Harris recently signed legislation to allow for the operation of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme on a five-year pilot basis, he opened the door wider for an emerging sector which has significant potential to create jobs and a new revenue stream for the Government’s coffers.

Buying dogs online could be banned under stricter dog control measures.

Helen Martin has been appointed as CEO of the Charities Regulator, having been carrying out the functions on an acting basis since last October.

A crater that opened up on the site of an old mine in Co Monaghan was detected 10 days before a decision was taken to close the adjacent road on safety grounds.

I am calling on the Fine Gael Government to withdraw from blocking the Climate Emergency Measures Bill which is being, once again held hostage by procedural trickery. It should go to the Oireachtas select committee where it could be debated and scrutinised by all parties.

The Green Party and People Before Profit are seeking legal advice over measures the Government has taken to effectively block legislation targeting a ban on oil and gas drilling in Irish waters.

Don't be fooled by this so-called Green Wave. And climate change deniers and delayers needn’t busy themselves ridiculing those Vega-wearing, Tesla-driving vegans just yet.

People Before Profit has claimed the Government has enacted a little-known parliamentary rule to scupper its bill aimed at banning oil and gas drilling in Irish waters.

Farmers, homeowners and businesses are being urged to use Eircodes to combat rural crime.

Farmers, homeowners and business owners are being urged to sign up to a new system aimed at tackling rural crime.

The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce will meet for the eighth time.

An elderly man with a serious heart condition is currently waiting on a trolley on a busy corridor in University Hospital Galway since Sunday lunchtime.

Independent Alliance TDs often operate as though they are not part of the Government, even though they are at the heart of it, writes Special Correspondent Michael Clifford.

Primary care centres cannot be upgraded to house improved medical services for 25 years because of botched government contracts, a minister has claimed.

The Government has been put on “notice to quit” and urged to begin “an orderly wind-down” despite Health Minister Simon Harris narrowly surviving a motion of no confidence.

Communications Minister Richard Bruton is to meet with Eir and Imagine to discuss how recent announcements of respective plans to expand their networks will impact on the National Broadband Plan.

Subsidence-monitoring at the mine where an underground collapse destroyed a GAA grounds and a community centre was only taking place twice a year and only above ground.

Transport Minister Shane Ross has lashed out at Government and opposition critics of his hard-line drink-driving laws, insisting he will ensure the law is implemented fully despite the “extraordinary opposition in some quarters”.

Using slurry to power family homes is the future of energy production in Ireland, ministers believe.

A bill targeting a ban on all future drilling for oil and gas in Irish waters has hit a wall after a draft report on the motion was voted down.

More than four out of 10 (45%) Irish people don’t take any steps to ensure their dog hasn’t come from a puppy farm, according to a new study.

Earlier this year New Zealand decided not to allow any new offshore oil exploration.

More than a third of oil and gas exploration companies active in Irish waters are finding it difficult to source partners to develop their licences here.

The Government has affirmed its support for offshore oil and gas exploration.