Tánaiste Simon Coveney has doubled down on Ireland’s red lines in the Brexit stand-off and warned that new demands to unravel the UK’s EU exit deal will not be considered.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will ask Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to potentially extend the confidence and supply deal by “a year or more” before the upcoming budget on October 7 in a bid to stave off snap election threats and the rise of Sinn Féin.

Early governments acted as if Irish independence amounted to Rome Rule. It took the revelation of the clerical sex abuse scandal to end such deference, writes Ryle Dwyer

It is time for Ireland to stop procrastinating, show some real vision, and summon up the courage to formally recognise the state of Palestine, writes TP O’Mahony.

Simon Coveney is viewed by some within the Fine Gael party as being the best candidate to run the country following the end of Enda Kenny’s tenure as Taoiseach, but the dilemma facing the party is that Leo Varadkar is viewed by others as being more likely to attract votes for Fine Gael, writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor

Enda Kenny is coming under increasing pressure to declare his intentions about his departure as he today becomes the longest-serving Fine Gael taoiseach.

There have been occasional highs during Enda Kenny’s 2,234 days as Taoiseach, but his numerous lows repeatedly hit new depths, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell

Next Wednesday is a big day for Enda Kenny, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

Varadkar is being uncharacteristically cautious which begs the question would he maintain this

Simon Coveney has shown that his is prepared to risk his political neck in order to do the right thing, writes Victoria White.

Enda Kenny could remain on as Taoiseach until mid-April after a potential successor to him failed to rule out a Fine Gael leadership contest finishing by Easter.

Despite hopes tonight’s statement by Enda Kenny to Fine Gael colleagues will clarify when the race to replace him officially begins, the reality is his remarks may mark only the start of the complications.

The one question on the minds of most people in Leinster House in the last two days has been whether Enda Kenny will walk or be pushed.

Enda Kenny’s approach has been to treat the whistleblower as if he had the equivalent of a political plague, writes Alison O’Connor.

Your letters, your views.

A change from the symbolism of the tricolour and the Rising is needed if the communities on this island are to ever find common ground, writes Donagh Davis

Some of the commentators on the possible outcome of moves to form a government have referred to similar situations that were solved in various ways in 1987, 1989 and 1981-2. It might be instructive also to advert to varied scenarios in 1948, 1951 and 1954.

I HAVE no intention of going anywhere. I’m grand. Fit as a fiddle. I’ve passed that point where, as comedian Billy Connolly says, every movement is accompanied by an involuntary groan, writes Fergus Finlay

The planned construction of a criminal courthouse at Anglesea St, Cork, will create up to 170 building jobs.

I had assumed that former Taoiseach, John A Costello, a devout Catholic, had written the Uriah Heep-type letter of cloying humility and obsequiousness to Pope Pius XII.

A history of the world in the first half of the 20th century is contained in 17 lots from a Skibbereen autograph collector to be sold at Whyte’s in Dublin on September 20.

Unique footage has emerged of a historic march undertaken by the Irish Army in Co Cork almost 60 years ago.

A Fine Gael TD’s attempt in the 1960s to reconstitute the role of the State in society may have failed, but it later influenced major policy changes, writes Ciara Meehan.

The call by a Conservative MP, Michael Fabricant, for Ireland to rejoin the British Commonwealth following the successful state visit to the UK of President Michael D Higgins comes as no surprise. However, the response by Fine Gael TD Brian Hayes who said “such a proposal should be considered”, does.

THE significance of President Michael D Higgins dining in state at Windsor castle last night is that it is the culmination of British recognition of Irish independence. It is also a full recognition of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Richard Fitzpatrick on two powerful men, operating on both sides of the Atlantic, who admired each other’s methods.

Four years ago he was on the dole but yesterday his work was seen around the world, presented by the Taoiseach to President Obama as part of the St Patrick’s festivities.

FOLLOWING the forced withdrawal of Senator David Norris from seeking the endorsement of the required number of TDs or local authorities in his endeavour to enter the Presidential election contest, perhaps all the other prospective candidates, in the interests of fairness and balance, should be subject to the same level of scrutiny also.

Garret FitzGerald will be remembered best for his massive contribution to public life in Ireland over the past 50 years, writes John Downing

THE island of Ireland has not had a Taoiseach of courage since the late John A Costello declared the state a Republic, or a statesman since the late Éamon de Valera.

IT WAS after 10pm on April 11, 1951 when Taoiseach John A Costello made the shock announcement that Health Minister Noel Browne had resigned and President Seán T O’Kelly had accepted the resignation on the recommendation of the Taoiseach.

What are the three things you can’t live without?

I WRITE concerning this week’s programme about TK Whitaker on TG4.

I WAS completely underwhelmed by Matt Cooper’s piece on December 17.

The Reluctant Taoiseach: A biography of John A. Costello

FORMER US President Harry Truman once explained: “My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. To tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference. I, for one, believe the piano player job to be much more honourable than current politicians.”

FORMER taoiseach Liam Cosgrave has said his predecessor John A Costello helped to modernise Ireland more than the country ever realised.

WITH the rumblings of Garglegate in Galway still continuing, we had the story of PJ Sheehan threatening the young garda outside Leinster House when she prevented him from driving his car because he had too much to drink.

OVER the years the media and politicians exhibited an unhealthy deference towards the Catholic clergy and hierarchy in this country.

BRIAN LENIHAN should not address the annual Michael Collins commemoration in Béal na mBláth because Fianna Fáil’s predecessors murdered Mr Collins, a Fine Gael senator has said.

I WONDER is the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny attempting to pilfer the republican glad rags of the soldiers of destiny? Speaking in Dáil Éireann, Mr Kenny responded to proposed European Commission legislation requiring eurozone states to submit their respective budgets to Brussels for pre-approval. Mr Kenny said this would be tantamount to “handing over sovereignty and the running of the country to the EU”.

HAVE you ever wondered what would drive you on to the streets?

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen and his party certainly did not distinguish themselves with the cabinet reshuffle during the week, but the contortions of Leo Varadkar helped to take some of the spotlight off the Government.

DEFENDING Willie O’Dea on Monday, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said: “I suppose Fine Gael are returning to type. They’ve always tried to get the dirt on people. I think it is despicable, to be honest.” Of course, he undoubtedly meant it is despicable to make false accusations.

THERE was an amazing interview during the week on RTÉ in relation to the final decommissioning of weapons by the UDA. It seemed strange to hear Frankie Gallagher of the Ulster Political Research Group speak in such complimentary terms about the help received in Dublin.

THERE has been talk about cutting the size of the Dáil and abolishing the Seanad, but nobody seems to have suggested abolishing the Presidency, which is the single most expensive office. How much could be save by abolishing it?