Planned legislation overhauling the judicial appointments’ process is “wrong in principle”.

There is disagreement on the make-up and numbers for a special Oireachtas committee that will now examine Ireland’s abortion laws and decide the terms for a possible referendum.

Former politicians owe the State €42,300 as a result of overpayments to pensions, by Seán McCárthaigh.

Former politicians owe the State €42,300 as a result of overpayments to pensions.

The 25th Seanad will meet for the first time today.

A boy who dived into a harbour at Christmas and saved a young woman from drowning has been recognised for his valour.

Two Sinn Féin Senators have demanded a recall of the Seanad in an effort to halt the eviction of Tyrrelstown residents.

The Anglo-Norman or Geraldine roots of Tralee founded 800 years ago will be celebrated in a year-long series of events, beginning on St Patrick’s Day.

Three counties in the SouthEast have submitted their joint bid for the European Capital of Culture title for 2020.

Limerick’s City and County Council yesterday voted to create a second mayor’s role in a move to end confusion over chains of office.

The Fianna Fáil chairman of Limerick City and County Council was yesterday accused of misrepresenting the council’s position on water charges.

President Michael D Higgins yesterday recalled the snugs of the pubs his father ran in his childhood days in Limerick City.

Private debt collectors are to be employed on an “ongoing basis” to chase up unpaid Dáil bar tabs running into tens of thousands of euro.

Following controversy in Kerry over the placing of a crucifix in the council chamber, another holy row has erupted in the new Limerick City and County Council.

The local election count in Ballybay-Clones, Co Monaghan, is set to be declared null and void after the sudden death of sitting Owen Bannigan.

It is well over a century since Limerick County Council first met but its last ever meeting proved when it comes to local politics, some things never change.

Coalition sources say this week’s Seanad votes on social welfare cuts will be tight but are confident of preventing opposition parties delaying the passing of budget legislation.

The Labour party is set to lose another Councillor.

The Government has promised to address concerns about organ donation numbers after it escaped political embarrassment and narrowly defeated a motion to annul legislation on transplants.

The Seanad was a bit like one of Mozart’s great operas yesterday, one where pantomime is used to shield us from the darkest inevitabilities facing humanity.

What initially looked like a single vehicle accident on a sunlit afternoon turned into something far more tragic within minutes of gardaí arriving at the scene outside Westport, Co Mayo.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been accused of "clowning around Europe" and "urinating on the Seanad".

A disgraced developer and former general election running mate of Brian Cowen fled from a gunman with his father and two young children in Co Offaly yesterday.

A bankrupt developer and his young children were lucky to escape with their lives after a gunman opened fire on them in broad daylight, detectives believe.

A former Fianna Fáil running mate of Brian Cowen has suffered minor injuries after shots were fired while he was leaving home with his family.

Senator Martin McAleese has today submitted his letter of resignation to the Seanad.

A High Court judge made no secret of the fact that the quashing of a €92,000 award to a Pakistani chef who may have been “the victim of the most appalling exploitation by his employer”, gave him little satisfaction.

Thousands of people are expected to attend an open air screening in Co Wicklow of Katie Taylor's Olympic final bout today.

Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness has thrown his hat into the ring to become the party's deputy leader.

THE office of President of Ireland is invested with great moral authority. Unusually, our President is directly elected by the people, except where political parties agree a candidate.

The 40th Eddie Rocket’s outlet was officially opened today at Shamrock Plaza in Carlow town, creating 30 jobs.

THE fight against heart disease was taken to the countryside around Castleconnell in Co Limerick yesterday when an Irish Heart Foundation Slí na Sláinte (Path to Health) walking route was launched.

A LIMERICK hotel has closed for business just as the tourism season hits its peak.

Fianna Fáil Senator Ivor Callely tonight resigned the party whip over an expenses scandal.

A SEANAD committee will meet today as a first step towards investigating why Dublin-based Senator Ivor Callely claimed travel expenses from his holiday home in west Cork.

Campaigners for victims of the Dublin Monaghan bombings today called on the Government to reinstate funding needed to keep fighting for justice.

The GAA today broke new ground by launching the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship at a club venue for the first time, with players from all four provinces on hand to launch the 2010 campaign at Kerins O'Rahillys' clubhouse in Tralee.

SOME of the countries best known GAA stars including Meath’s Graham Geraghty, Cork’s Anthony Lynch, Donegal duo Kevin Cassidy and Brendan Boyle along with Kerry’s Darragh, Marc and Tomás O Sé are set to thrill spectators at the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta National finals in Belmullet in June (4-7).

Bray has gone from being one of Ireland's dirtiest towns to its cleanest in just one year.

THE Government could face difficulty passing major pieces of legislation including the measures in December’s budget and the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) Bill because it no longer holds the majority in the Seanad.

Work has begun on one of the largest ever-civic building projects to be undertaken in Co Limerick.

Tolls on the M50 should be reduced for motorists struggling with cost of living increases, a Senator claimed today.