Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged Rural Independent TD Noel Grealish to "withdraw" or clarify his claims that African asylum seekers are in reality economic migrants coming to Ireland to "sponge" off taxpayers, amid growing calls for him to resign.

The opposition party's agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue demanded the clarity before Wednesday night's House of Commons votes on all different Brexit options.

Pensioners who have been locked out of their retirement lump sums because they were short just €49 in annual income will now be able to access their funds.

TDs who opposed repealing the Eighth Amendment will press for a ‘disability amendment’ to be added to forthcoming legislation to stop access to termination as soon as such conditions are diagnosed.

Sinn Féin is a party unfit for government and Fine Gael will not be going into power with it, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has sharply rebuked one of his ministers who advised people to keep their heating on 24 hours a day during the cold weather, saying that it is “not the advice of Government”.

The possibility of unrestricted access to abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy if the Eighth Amendment is repealed has moved a step closer after another Government minister said he is backing the plan.

A solicitor representing a junior minister’s brother facing a charge of failing to declare €400 of cigarettes he had for sale in his shop yesterday queried why the Revenue Commissioners were seeking “a pound of flesh”.

Former Fianna Fáil senator John Hanafin and a handful of Independent TDs have held talks about setting up a new political party before the next general election.

Former Fianna Fáil senator John Hanafin and a handful of Independent TDs have held talks about setting up a new political party before the next general election.

The first minister to introduce Skype clinics, in a rural coastal constituency, is considering expanding the service. With a demand for constituent clinics quadrupling since Jim Daly became a minister in the Department of Health last June, he began hosting Skype clinics from his Dublin office.

In 1983, former Cork South West TD Jim O’Keeffe was involved in the discovery of a Russian spy ring in Dublin. His story now features in a new RTÉ documentary, writes Robert Mulhern

Children should never be allowed to have unlimited access to the internet, so rules must be put in place about what they can see and post, says Alison O’Connor. 

Taoiseach Enda Kenny must explicitly set out his time-frame for stepping down this Wednesday or risk “tearing Fine Gael apart”, senior figures last night warned.

Many are against waiting for a public inquiry to make answers public, writes Claire O’Sullivan

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is facing mounting pressure to refund Irish Water customers who paid their bills, with growing calls for rebates from within Cabinet, as well as from many of his own TDs.

Fine Gael TDs are split on refunding water charges, with half of those contacted by the Irish Examiner in favour of giving the money back and a near identical number saying non-payers must instead be pursued.

Fine Gael leadership contender Leo Varadkar has moved to quell any immediate heave against Enda Kenny, warning party rebels to back down so the Taoisseach can get on with his work.

A number of Fine Gael TDs would consider withdrawing their support from the Government if Enda Kenny does not step down by the end of the year.

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has welcomed the findings of an opinion poll showing strong support for him to become the next leader of Fine Gael, also stressing that his party was “not afraid” of Fianna Fáil.

A threat by a Fine Gael TD to leave the party, potentially throwing the Government into crisis, has forced Taoiseach Enda Kenny to accept proposals for an education ombudsman.

Backbench TDs pressing for Enda Kenny to step aside are poised and prepared to criticise him again if the Fine Gael leader makes any more serious errors.

Almost 1,800 allegations of suspected or confirmed abuse of people living in centres for adults and children with disabilities were reported last year.

Stephen Cadogan reports on complex legal cases evolving from disputes over the Basic Payment Scheme.

Fine Gael backbenchers pressing for leadership change are prepared to defend their recent remarks at the weekly parliamentary party this evening.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has made more than half of his parliamentary party ministers after a reshuffle of junior positions, in which Fine Gael rebels were shunned.

Will the independents support Fine Gael?

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin attempted to rescue his party’s bid for power last night by meeting directly with Independent rural TDs who had a day earlier appeared to back Fine Gael — warning them not to join forces with Enda Kenny’s party.

The largest garda representative organisation is facing a vital ballot on rosters, and the election of new leaders, which will determine if it is to become more militant.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is coming under pressure to offer fresh rural Ireland investments to shore up Independent support after initial discussions with unaligned TDs.

A Fine Gael TD believes primary schools must put an end to demanding cash payments from parents.

The death of former agriculture minister and long-serving Fianna Fáil ex-TD Joe Walsh has prompted tributes from all sides of the political divide.

Former Labour deputy leader Barry Desmond has backed Joan Burton to head the party, while also saying the Coalition needs to survive its full term.

The Battle for Labour’s top two posts was becoming bitter last night as Joan Burton faced a challenger in the tussle for the party crown.

Joan Burton is expected to declare her bid for the Labour leadership today as parliamentary party members meet and discuss the party’s dismal election results and the shock resignation of Eamon Gilmore.

Irish Water will continue to spend millions of euro hiring outside consultants to investigate the status and design of its engineering infrastructure despite the political and public uproar caused by the revelation that €50m has already been spent on consultancies.

Anti-abortion Fine Gael TDs have expressed concern at the inclusion of suicidal intent as grounds for termination but a party meeting passed off without “war”, sources said.

Politicians usually take their lives in their hands by appearing on Tonight with Vincent Browne on TV3.