Former justice minister Alan Shatter has launched a scathing attack on Transport Minister Shane Ross, accusing him of “bombastic fakery” and “fantasy politics” over his plans to reopen Stepaside Garda Station.

Plans to force political parties to publish full financial accounts annually are facing resistance from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, who have expressed concerns about the implications for local branches.

THE funding of political parties has long been a closely guarded secret. However, the corruption and abuse of power this has engendered over the years has become an all too familiar story.

The granting of Dáil speaking time to rebel government party TDs has angered other opposition groups who have had their own speaking slots reduced due to the measure agreed by the Ceann Comhairle.

After a long balmy summer on the beach, TDs finally got back to the business of running the country yesterday and in case they had forgotten what it’s all about they were greeted by the familiar voices of protest against austerity on the streets outside Dáil Éireann. Nothing had changed.