Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty insists a party colleague who was suspended over claims he was coaching another witness in the North’s Nama loans inquiry, acted alone throughout the controversy.

Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has insisted a senior party colleague suspended over claims he was coaching another witness in Northern Ireland's Nama loans inquiry acted alone throughout the controversy, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Padraig MacLochlainn, Jerry Buttimer, and Michael McNamara are among the failed Dáil candidates putting their names forward for the Seanad. 

The opposition TD who claimed Denis O’Brien extended his IBRC loans after threatening legal action has insisted the allegation is accurate, and warned he will make more information public if necessary.

Sinn Féin delegates have backed a controversial motion to ban any British royal or government member from attending the 1916 Rising commemorations, despite a plea that the move will embarrass the party’s leadership.

Former junior ministers have spoken of the confusing nature of serving in Government and of the challenges faced by ministers of state when in their posts.

Nobody believes Gerry Adams when he denies his past involvement in the IRA, the Taoiseach told the Dáil during sharp exchanges with the Sinn Féin leader.

Travellers who abuse the rights given to them by the State must be “confronted head on”, according to the Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, who is the first member of the Dáil from a Traveller background.

Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty could be forced to pay back €8,000 to the Oireachtas after being told it is “not appropriate” to use surplus mileage claims to fund a new car.

Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes has said that an EU-wide solution needs to be found to the banking debt crisis.

A High Court ruling on a challenge by Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty to the Referendum Commission will be handed down this morning, just one day before the vote.

The European Central Bank has cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point under new head Mario Draghi to boost weakening growth in the debt-hit eurozone.

The clamour for a general election intensified tonight after renegade TD Jim McDaid quit politics, accusing the Government of failing to take tough decisions.

Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk has confirmed the resignation of former minister Jim McDaid from the Dáil.

Fianna Fáil was tonight making frantic efforts to mend a damaging rift with renegade ex-minister Jim McDaid after he withdrew his support for the Government.

Fianna Fáil's Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher is expected to declare his candidacy for the European elections before nominations close at midday today.

The director of elections for controversial Donegal TD James McDaid says Fianna Fáil cannot count on his support until he has met with local party members.

Gardaí have forwarded a file to the DPP in relation to claims that a property developer left a brown envelope of cash in the office of a Fianna Fáil TD.

Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin has confirmed that Fianna Fáil is in talks with Donegal TD Niall Blaney with a view to his formally joining the party ahead of the next election.

Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party will return to the Dail this morning to table of motion of censure against independent TD Tom Gildea over his accusations about Nora Owen.

Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party have walked out of the Dail in protest at the refusal of the Government to censure Independent Deputy Thomas Gildea following allegations he made against former Justice Minister Nora Owen.

Opposition parties are demanding that Independent Deputy Thomas Gildea be censured following allegations he made against former Justice Minister Nora Owen.