Politics has always been a family matter for newly elected TD Aindrias Moynihan. Yesterday may have been his first day to take a seat in the Dáil as an elected representative for Cork North West, but he is certainly no stranger to Leinster House.

The fight will continue, said Ballyhea residents, as the North Cork village wrapped up five unbroken years of weekly Sunday protests against the bondholder bailouts yesterday.

With such a large number of sitting TDs now ousted from Leinster House, the 32nd Dáil will be spattered with unfamiliar and fresh faces.

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The majority of TDs cost the taxpayer more than half a million euro each in pay and expenses in under four years, while TDs who are also ministers have received, on average, €631,000.

A Government TD says a national fund should be in place to ensure no child is unable to fully access the free year of pre-school because of a disability.

A man whose family is facing eviction said he hopes their decision to go public will give thousands of other families in mortgage arrears the strength to take a stand.

The final Dáil vote saw 31 TDs oppose the X case legislation as numbers were swelled by left-wing deputies protesting that the new law was not liberal enough.

A referendum to reverse the Supreme Court ruling allowing suicidal women to have abortions would give Irish people “the chance to re-establish what they wished for,” according to Catholic bishops.

The majority of voters in Cork city and county backed the referendum — but there were just 47 votes between the yes and no sides on Cork’s northside.

The country’s gone to the dogs, and a group of Fine Gael TDs are planning to follow the pack.

PARENTS of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) must be encouraged to use advances in tele-health to monitor their development at home, Fine Gael’s Áine Collins said yesterday.

A NEW Leinster House “lust list” has been topped by Fine Gael TD Sean Kyne and Sinn Féin’s Sandra McLellan.

THE average age of Cork’s Dáil representation has dropped by eight years since the last general election in a reflection of the changed face of politics after last Friday’s ballot.

ACCORDING to Newstalk, our politicians remain banned from The Right Hook.

MICHEÁL MARTIN remains the front-runner to be the next Fianna Fáil leader, with the number of TDs publicly declaring they will support him in tomorrow’s vote now in excess of 20.

THE Government made no effort to seek a pairing arrangement with the opposition before deciding to use the jet to allow a junior minister attend a Dáil vote, Fine Gael said last night.

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe was last night still refusing to tell taxpayers if he is one of the senior Government figures clawing back €100,000 a year between them for the upkeep of second homes.

The Workers' Party has strongly condemned a call from the employer's organisation IBEC for social welfare cuts to be included in next weeks emergency Budget, describing the demand as 'despicable'.

A NUMBER of government backbenchers last night expressed concerns that changes to the Government’s Community Childcare Subvention Scheme will cause hardship to working families.

A SWING to or from a particular party in 16 bellwether constituencies will tell us a lot about the national trends, and could determine the overall shape of the 30th Dáil.

JUST one month ago, Junior Minister Batt O’Keeffe alleged there was a dirty tricks campaign being waged against him in Cork North West.

FIANNA Fáil’s election guru PJ Mara travelled to Cork South West last night to reassure disgruntled local members about election strategy in the constituency.

AT a casual glance, it appeared to be the usual list from the revenue commissioners, naming and shaming the publicans, parish priests and assorted others who are conscientious objectors to paying their tax.

THE Government has no plans to review TDs’ expenses despite increasing criticism over the large amounts pocketed by many public representatives.