A stunt with no new money or meaningful targets was how the Government’s jobs action plan was branded in the Dáil.

IT was hardly blue murder, more a case of bureaucracy gone mad.

Claire O’Sullivan joins the trail of a senator snarled in a new expenses scandal.

Senator Ivor Callely brushed off two offers from Oireachtas officials to contact the Finance Minister on his behalf in a bid to sort out controversial expenses claims, it emerged today.

SENATOR Ivor Callely has insisted he did not break any expenses rules — but vowed to cough up the money if he was proved wrong.

Senator Ivor Callely insisted today he had not broken any expenses rules – but vowed to cough up the money if he was proved wrong.

A public hearing into Senator Ivor Callely's expenses is getting underway at Leinster House.

A Seanad committee will begin investigating Ivor Callely's reasons for claiming €81,000 in expenses today.

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny has said he wants the failed rebellion leader Richard Bruton back on his front bench.

KILCROHANE in west Cork is the kind of place that makes you believe in God. With this week’s Mediterranean skies and glorious sunshine, it was somewhere that few would be capable of driving through without giving in to the urge to pull up at the roadside and drink up the view over Dunmanus Bay.

The Taoiseach has this evening ordered Senator Ivor Callelly to furnish a written explanation of his expenses claims to the Caoitherlach of the Seanad.

INDEPENDENT TD Finian McGrath yesterday threatened to resign in 12 to 18 months unless cancer services are comprehensively reformed.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is expected to announce a new Minister of State this afternoon to replace Síle de Valera.

THE late Charles Haughey was “first and foremost” a great father, said his son, Seán, in a moving, personal tribute to the former Taoiseach.

Four senior members of Fianna Fáil have appeared at the Planning Tribunal today to give evidence about payments they received from Monarch Properties.

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen today insisted Cabinet colleague Michael McDowell had the Government’s full backing as the clamour for his resignation grew.

SEÁN HAUGHEY last night strongly denied claims he was planning to stand against Fianna Fáil as an independent at the next election.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern re-ignited the reshuffle row yesterday with a blunt signal to junior minister Síle de Valera she will have to leave office this year.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern tonight confirmed having held a meeting with the Dublin North Central TD Sean Haughey today.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he is available to meet Sean Haughey to discuss his decision not to give the Dublin North Central TD a junior ministerial role.

WITH the Cabinet expected to appoint a new Minister of State at the Department of Transport this week, Sean Haughey has firmly thrown his hat into the ring by saying the post would be the next logical step in his career.

IVOR CALLELY resigned as a junior minister only minutes before an emergency Cabinet meeting was due to convene to sack him.

The Government has accepted the resignation of Minister of State Ivor Callely, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil this morning.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will today ask embattled Minister of State Ivor Callely to resign or he will dismiss him from the Government.

THE political year is going to end in 2005 just like it did last year - with a couple of ministerial heads on the rack.

A Minister of State tonight defended his offer to buy a car for a key advisor if he stayed in his post.

Allegations of widespread bullying in the Defence Forces are over-exaggerated, TDs were told today.

The smoking ban should be reconsidered as it is leading to despair among some people, the Government was told today.

A SCHOOL principal fighting to give severely disabled students a summer camp appealed to Education Minister Noel Dempsey directly yesterday to give him €5,000 for the project.

Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton today hit out at suggestions following last Friday’s election that Sinn Féin could become a coalition partner.

Dublin North Central TD Richard Bruton remains the favourite to succeed Michael Noonan as leader of Fine Gael.