A Cork TD has pledged to tackle the sale of so-called ‘company cars’ following a horror crash in his community which claimed the life of one teenager and left teen fighting for his life.

The Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin went toe to toe last night in the first of two head-to-head debates ahead of the February 8 general election.

“Two weeks earlier the same polling agency had Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael both on 27%, and for the last two years, Fine Gael has been in the high 20s/early 30s in terms of polls, so, of course we’re going to take note of this.”

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has confirmed a large survey of renters will go ahead next year including questions about whether tenants have experienced sexual harassment from landlords.

Taoiseach criticised over his ‘see no evil’ response to the situation

Free contraception for both women and men now looks set to be delayed until 2021, despite a promise by the government to guarantee access in the wake of the abortion referendum.

The Fine Gael Cork South West TD says he is no longer able to balance political life with having a young family.

The comments come as controversy continues over proposals for a direct provision centre at a former hotel in Oughterard in Co Galway.

On your marks, get set, g-... Actually, would you mind holding on for a few months? One of you looks trapped by Brexit, and the other wants to tie his laces, again.

Joe Dermody looks at this week's business movers

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has insisted “magic money” is not being used to pay for overruns for the children's hospital while pledging that cash will be found to fund the project.

The government is facing further questions over how Health Minister Simon Harris' story has “shifted” around advice he received over offering women free repeat smear tests.

The Football Association of Ireland has not answered questions from the Oireachtas Sports Committee about governance plans in the wake of revelations over John Delaney and the sporting body's finances.

Hospital consultants who can earn up to €250,000 a year will have to be paid more if vacant positions are to be filled, according to Fianna Fáil’s finance spokesman Michael McGrath.

A national register detailing how much landlord TDs rent out properties for would ensure transparency and prevent politicians using their position to ramp up rental prices.

A Cork TD has called for the Dáil bar to be shut down in order to set a good example.

Latest: The Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork has said he is "deeply shocked" at the death of a young homeless woman in Cork not far from St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, in the neighbourhood in which he lives.

The Government is set to oppose an opposition motion this week advocating a truth commission to investigate mother and baby homes.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney’s supporters are privately claiming a small victory after Health Minister Simon Harris formally ruled himself out of the Fine Gael leadership contest.

Concerns have been raised about the implications of Brexit for patients travelling to Britain for medical treatment.

A Cork TD has criticised a “disgraceful” act of vandalism that saw a message protesting his views on abortion spray-painted onto his office.

The Government is open to doing deals with other Independents if existing ministers jump ship or the minority administration collapses, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed has said.

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.

Housing, childcare and justice will be top priorities for new Cork TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. The 27-year-old from Togher joined Sinn Féin at the age of 18.

Junior Labour Minister Kathleen Lynch said the controversial “attack advert” depicting Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin Gerry Adams as the newlyweds in a same-sex marriage will not be officially published.

A Cork TD is embroiled in controversy after it emerged he asked two on-duty gardaí to drive him to Dublin Airport to catch an early-morning flight to Brussels after his car broke down.

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.

Irish Water needs to be abolished and have its responsibilities given back to local councils in order to save the taxpayer money, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has insisted.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has predicted that the debate over the marriage equality referendum will become “aggressive and divisive” in the closing days of the campaign.

A prominent Government TD has said his Transport Minister colleague Paschal Donohoe was wrong to rule out exchequer support for debt-ridden Cork Airport.

Fresh doubts have been expressed over IAG’s pursuit of Aer Lingus after one of the Cabinet’s most senior ministers said the current offer is not sufficient for the Government to part with its stake.

The attorney general’s advice branding a bill seeking termination rights for women with fatal foetal abnormalities unconstitutional may be made public to give Labour TDs political cover and avoid a damaging split.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has categorically ruled out supporting Fianna Fáil in any coalition after the next general election.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney was accused of being "disloyal" by an angered Labour minister after saying Fine Gael would consider a coalition with Fianna Fáil after the next election.

Simon Coveney says he has ‘no ideological problem’ about going into partnership with Fianna Fáil, but would his party really jump into bed with its nemesis, asks Juno McEnroe