The much-hated universal social charge (USC) would be abolished if Fianna Fáil is returned to power, even though the party introduced the tax itself.

Conservative party members have accused the Fianna Fáil “power elite” of turning their backs on “seriously minded Christians” by supporting the referendum on marriage equality in order to secure the general election “pink vote”.

It was the elephant in the ard fheis room and it took less than 10 minutes to come trundling into view. But if grassroots Fianna Fáil voters are to be believed, it is unlikely to stamp the party’s leader into the ground just yet.

“This Government gives with one hand and it takes back twice as much with the other. And families who can least afford the extra bills are getting hammered.

WHEN he was asked about leadership options in Fianna Fáil late last year, the venerable Willie O’Dea declared: “And I say this with the greatest respect to my colleagues — I respect each and every one of them — I look around the [parliamentary party] table in my mind’s eye, and I don’t see the messiah and when I look in the mirror I don’t see him either.”

Micheál Martin says Fianna Fáil will offer the public a "real alternative" at the next election.

With less than a year to win back disillusioned voters, Kenny and Co have an uphill battle ahead

From day one and with each twist that the controversy brings, the handling of the penalty points issue has always been about saving political neck.

In November 2012 I was asked to serve on the Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee, the remit of which was to draw up boundaries for the 2014 local elections.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has called on Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to withdraw “outrageous” accusations that he gerrymandered local election boundaries to maximise the electoral chances of Fine Gael and Labour.

The replacement of Gerry Adams as Sinn Féin leader would not be enough to secure a future coalition deal with Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin has insisted.

Fianna Fáil’s not sorry anymore.

“And look where they put us. Stuck up here on the fifth floor.”

At Fianna Fáil’s first ard fheis following its electoral defeat in 2011, a leading British politics academic, Professor Tim Bale, delivered sobering advice to delegates: “You have to realise that your brand is not simply tarnished, it is utterly trashed. It is not just trashed, it is toxic.”

The Taoiseach should “take control” of the controversy surrounding the treatment of Garda whistleblowers and ensure an apology is issued, according to the Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan is reiterating calls for the Fianna Fáil leader to withdraw the remarks he made over the weekend on the report by the Independent Committee into the review of Local Electoral Areas.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has accused the coalition of presiding over a two-tier recovery - with most people being left behind.

Delegates at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis have rejected a motion to allow social media websites to be shut down.

The Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is calling on the coalition to go back to the table and negotiate a fairer deal with public sector workers.

Delegates at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis have passed two motions reaffirming the party's position as pro-life.

The Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis has overwhelmingly passed a motion to ban former TDs who did not stand in the 2011 General Election from running in future contests.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has accused the Taoiseach of being two-faced and branded his jobs policy a failure.

Fine Gael today issued a statement welcoming an apology from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin for his party's role in Ireland's economic problems.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has apologised for his party’s role in leading Ireland from boom to bust.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been given a mixed reception at the Fianna Fáil ard fheis this afternoon.

Delegates at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Dublin have voted in favour of giving equal marriage rights to all people regardless of race, religion. gender or sexual orientation.

Fianna Fáil is to finalise what is says will be the highest ethical standards in Irish politics as the party's ard fheis continues in Dublin today.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has promised "swift and comprehensive" action against anyone named in the Mahon Tribunal report as having abused their position in office.

Fianna Fáil has denied masking rank-and-file division over one of leader Micheál Martin's flagship plans to rebuild the party.

An Air Corps flight which crashed killing a trainee pilot and instructor struck a mountainside about 200ft below standard flying levels, it emerged today.

A preliminary report into the crash of a Aer Corps plane in Co Galway released today says there were no technical defects with the aircraft.

The second victim of Monday evening's Air Corps plane crash in the west of the country is due to be buried with full military honours today.

The Taoiseach and the Minister for Defence were among around 400 people who attended a prayer service at Baldonnel last night for the two Air Corps pilots who died in a plane crash earlier this week.

The funeral arrangements for the two Air Corps crew members who were killed after their aircraft crashed in Co Galway on Monday have been announced.

The two Air Corps crew members killed after their aircraft crashed in Co Galway last night have been named as 32-year-old Captain Derek Furniss and Cadet David Jevens, 22.

A full investigation will get underway today into the crash of an Air Corps plane in which two crew members lost their lives.

The Taoiseach is warning that living standards in Ireland will fall and that taxes are going to rise.