Bertie had his kitchen cabinet. Enda had ‘Big’ Phil Hogan and a silent but deadly Michael Noonan. And, if comments from Kate O’Connell are to be believed, Leo has an entire choir, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

The Government expects an extra €1bn will be available to spend on services and tax cuts next year but is prepared to scale back growth projections if Britain votes to leave the EU.

Enda Kenny says that the Coalition is unwilling to increase its spending promises in the budget despite fresh figures revealing a continued surge in the economy.

Minister for Jobs and Enterprise Richard Bruton has been added to the Fine Gael election ticket for the Dublin Bay North constituency.

A failed Fine Gael election candidate has resigned as a director of Irish Water after criticism over his second job as a paid personal driver for one of the party’s ministers.

Arts minister Heather Humphreys has defended appointing a former Fine Gael election candidate to a state board even though he did not apply for the position.

It is often alleged that U2 reduced their tax liability by moving their accountancy base to the Netherlands. The real issue is why taxes are so high in Ireland.

Labour faces pressure to overhaul the property tax for the less well-off after delegates at the party’s conference voted to remove the charge from those on the dole and those struggling with mortgages.

The Government has nominated barrister Colm MacEochaidh, a former Fine Gael election candidate, for appointment to the High Court.

In the run up to the fiscal treaty referendum I received a leaflet from Fine Gael urging a yes vote.

THE expected reduction in the interest rate on Ireland’s EU loan will not be enough for the Government and it will fight to change other terms of the bailout, senior minister Pat Rabbitte has said.

GAA President Sean Kelly has revealed his desire to honour the memory of Michael Collins by naming a trophy or stadium him.

WITH the way clear for a Labour/Fine Gael election pact, Fianna Fáil last night sought to drive a wedge between the parties by focusing on the differences between them.

The Government must back up its attacks on Sinn Féin’s links to the IRA and criminal activities, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said today.

Political Correspondent Fionnán Sheahan reports on the healthy competition between two European candidates.

Education policy is expected to top the agenda on the Fine Gael election campaign today.