THE year 1977 was not a great one from the standpoint of the state papers. Historically, the most important events were related to that year’s general election. As the civil servants were not formally involved, the elections were glossed over in the state papers.

FINE GAEL yesterday raised its suspicions that the Government may embark on a series of swingeing post-election cutbacks.

A defeated Fianna Fáil election candidate who narrowly failed to take a seat in the Taoiseach’s constituency tonight accused party colleagues of sabotaging her campaign.

VINCENT BROWNE’S questioning of the Taoiseach at the launch of the Fianna Fáil manifesto on Thursday was riveting. Bertie Ahern was refusing to answer questions about the £30,000 he got from his friend Michael Wall in December 1994.

The 150-page Fianna Fáil election manifesto ’Now The Next Steps’ ,which was launched today, sets out the party’s policy blueprint for the next five years in government. As well as the previously-announced measures, it proposes:

PEOPLE should not be very surprised that the Government is spending over €150 million annually on renting property from private landlords and developers.

CHARLES HAUGHEY misappropriated at least £45,000 from funds raised to cover the late Brian Lenihan’s medical expenses and may, in fact, have taken as much as £194,000.

A row has erupted over the Government's use of resources to publicise Fianna Fáil election candidates.

Minister for Education Noel Dempsey’s arguments in defence of the use of the staff of his department to provide briefing packs for Fianna Fáil election candidates are pathetic.

The Standards in Public Office Commission is reportedly planning an investigation into the use of public resources by Education Minister Noel Dempsey to compile briefing documents for Fianna Fáil election candidates.

WITH inflation growing at twice the current European average, we are clearly in troubled waters, and the ship of State is taking on water.

FIANNA FÁIL election hopeful Des Kelly wasn’t exactly the most popular person in the party when his legal challenge threatened to upset their carefully stage-managed election campaign. But it didn’t bother him.

FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevy will today unveil tough cutbacks in efforts to abruptly halt runaway public spending in one fell swoop.

FIANNA FÁIL was last night accused of making a mockery of election spending rules after it was revealed the party bought billboard space worth almost 750,000 in the six months prior to the general election.