The Fine Gael deputy for Meath East said her family often wondered where they might be today if the Junior Agriculture Minister had got over his moment of crisis.

Mr Boyd Barrett said he believed there would be discussions between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil about a possible coalition and also Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Greens.

Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee has said now is not the time for a border poll.

Latest: Outgoing Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy has insisted he has “been compliant” with Leinster House rules about his attendance at all times.

In the past, Mr Varadkar and his predecessor Enda Kenny have travelled to EPP gatherings using commercial airlines, as the events are deemed to be party-political in nature.

A junior minister says the government is "extremely frustrated" over the UK's hardball approach to Brexit negotiations.

Brexit has only made Europe more united behind small countries such as Ireland and member states will not bow to Boris Johnson on the backstop the Tánaiste says.

Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee says it is time for the House of Commons “to figure out what it wants”.

Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee has said the UK must live up to its obligations to prevent the return of a hard border and protect the peace process.

Britain has come up with two ways to secure a frictionless border after Brexit, according to the Northern Ireland secretary.

A US tech and software company is expected to announce the creation of up to 100 jobs in Cork today.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to continue to “work closely” with the EU after Brexit but has voiced her unhappiness about being left out of a meeting of leaders.

DURING the last general election campaign Fine Gael made much of its five-point plan to rejuvenate a battered society and an imploding economy. The fifth point promised “to stamp out cronyism and low standards” in politics.

Taoiseach will travel to Brussels today for an informal meeting of the heads of states.

It is unclear whether Irish troops will be involved in rescue efforts to free UN workers kidnapped in Syria.

The Cabinet reshuffle is, for the most part, just that - a reshuffle. But amid the familiar faces moved from one portfolio to another, a handful of politicians have made fresh space at the Cabinet table.

The Taoiseach and the Minister of State for European Affairs will attend a ceremony to mark 100 years since the start of the First World War.

The country’s newest junior minister believes President Michael D Higgins should refer the contentious abortion legislation to the Supreme Court.

Lucinda Creighton has lost the Fine Gael party whip after voting against the Government in the abortion debate tonight.

The Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has called for the protection of all life saying every human life is unique and must be fostered and cherished.

The presidents of the European Commission and Parliament will meet the Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Dublin on Thursday as efforts to agree a seven-year budget intensify.

The new year will bring hope, possibility and confidence to the people of Ireland, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

Three important EU milestones for Ireland are being celebrated today.

Top brass European delegates will get free passes for Dublin’s rental bikes for travelling to major events during Ireland’s EU presidency.

EXCUSE my pre-Christmas cynicism but I’m dreading the Irish presidency of the EU before it even starts on Jan 1 for a six-month period.

The government will step up the groundwork for Ireland’s EU presidency tomorrow with a mass contingent of ministers travelling to Brussels.

The Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has described as "disappointing" the decision by Mandate to call for a No vote in the EU Fiscal Treaty referendum next month.

The Government has insisted it will not take anything for granted in the Fiscal Treaty referendum.

HOW can we be expected to believe Micheál Martin can root out corruption in the Fianna Fáil party when he can’t even identify the ministers who, according to the Mahon Report, launched a “sustained and virulent attack” on the tribunal and questioned “the legality of its inquiries as well as the integrity of its members” when it was investigating Bertie Ahern in 2007 and 2008?

Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton has confirmed that the EU Fiscal Treaty Referendum is likely to take place in late May or early June.

The Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton has said she would like to see a referendum vote on the Fiscal Treaty happen before the summer.

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, has said she thinks there should be a full public inquiry into the production and broadcast of the 'Frontline' Presidential debate last October.

A GOVERNMENT junior minister has said the number of local councils should be cut drastically and described the salaries and expenses paid to councillors as “preposterous”.

FORMER Finance Minister Brian Lenihan was accused of trying to escape taking responsibility for the banking crisis as he alleged the European Central Bank (ECB) pushed or “bounced” Ireland into seeking a bailout.

SOME Adoption Board members attended just a fraction of board meetings between 2005 and 2009, a period in which the organisation was embroiled in high-profile scandals.

The Secretary-General of the European Commission, Catherine Day, today launched the Commission-produced "Your guide to the Lisbon Treaty".

The Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche is dismissing claims by opponents of the Lisbon Treaty that it will give too much power to the EU.

The Taoiseach travels to Lisbon today for a two-day meeting of EU heads of state.

An Irish minister today met the husband of a kidnapped Colombian politician to assure him of the State’s support in the fight to free his wife.

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Noel Treacy, said today that he is confident that the French public will vote "Yes" to the proposed EU constitution in a referendum on May 29.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will attend the European Council in Brussels tomorrow.

The Government is laying claim to one of the most successful presidencies in the history of the EU.

SENATOR Maurice Hayes was yesterday presented with the European of the Year Award at a ceremony in Dublin yesterday.

A LETTER written by a Government minister, corroborating allegations that a teenager was beaten up while in garda custody, was not included in the investigation file sent to the Garda Complaints Board, it has emerged.

GARDAÍ have been accused by a Government minister of torturing a man in their custody and of lying in a judge’s courtroom.

Sinn Fein is being accused of burying its head in the sand in relation to allegations that ratification of the Nice Treaty will lead to a flood of foreign workers.