The prospects of Micheál Martin being the first Fianna Fáil leader not to be taoiseach are increasing, writes Political Correspondent Aoife Moore

And so it begins — or at least accelerates towards a now-defined finishing line. The long-anticipated election will be held on Saturday, February 8.

Political Editor Daniel McConnell looks at the chances of all of the parties, groupings and unaligned independents who may be critical in forming the country's next government.

Latest: Corbyn faces pressure to resign as Labour heads for second defeat in row under his leadership

It's a wrap. Political editor Daniel Mcconnell runs the rule over Byelections 2019 and reflects on the likely fallout.

Fine Gael byelection candidate Verona Murphy has insisted she will be running for the party in the next General Election.

The British Labour leader has accused Donald Trump is trying to interfere in the UK's general election.

Jeremy Corbyn is challenging Boris Johnson to face him in head-to-head televised debates during Britain's election campaign.

The House of Commons is again on the edge of a general election, but not Brexit.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he cannot rule out a general election next year, despite Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil extending the confidence and supply deal until spring 2020.

Fine Gael is gearing up for a general election by targeting middle-income earners and pensioners at its ard fheis this weekend.

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has said it is now time for a general election following the loss of guaranteed support from two TDs in recent weeks.

The Justice Minister has warned that a general election will be triggered if the two parties cannot agree to extend the deal.

Things have changed, apparently unexpectedly. The resignation of Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick from Fine Gael on Monday does not automatically change events, but it may do so dramatically. 

Micheál Martin’s next move could make or break him, writes Political Correspondent Juno McEnroe

Former taoiseach Brian Cowen has criticised Leo Varadkar for showing “inexperience” and called on him to “act in an adult way” when negotiating with Fianna Fáil.

It’s looking like November.

Fianna Fáil are preparing for an election as early as September, with the party convinced Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is “gunning” to go to the polls.

The war of words between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil over the confidence and supply agreement has prompted the Taoiseach to rule out calling a snap general election.

Behind the scenes, everyone is talking about when the fragile minority Government will fall and the country will face a general election, says Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

Alison O’Connor believes he showed belated wisdom in not going to the country back in December. But all he needs at the moment is a valid, or valid enough, reason to throw us all into a general election campaign.

The chances of an election this year have “increased significantly”, a leading analyst has said, after new exchequer figures showed tax revenues from income tax and Vat sales over Christmas had flowed into the exchequer.

He is not a gambler, he is a mathematician. He plots three, four steps ahead. He will not risk a Theresa May calamity on the basis of two or three polls. He genuinely wants this to go on, writes Daniel McConnell

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has ruled out the prospect of a general election in the immediate future.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has made it known to his senior ministers that he does not favour a grand coalition with Fianna Fáil after the next election, which he believes will be in 2018.

Parties in the North have suspended political campaigning as a mark of respect for the victims of the London terrorist attack.

It would be easier and more beneficial for Fianna Fail to pull the plug and call a general election, Micheál Martin has admitted.

Last week’s census recorded that one-in-10 people in this Republic had turned their back on any religious alliance or belief. 

Latest: AAA TD for Dublin South West Paul Murphy has said the recommendations made by the water committee are a victory for the anti water charges movement.

The leadership contest has effectively been going on for over a year, points out Alison O’Connor.

Fine Gael TD Noel Rock has launched legal proceedings to appeal the severity of a €3,150 fine for breaking litter laws with his “keep the recovery going” posters.