WOULD we even notice if the Irish government shut down?

Fine Gael abortion rebel TD Peter Mathews quit the party yesterday as other Fine Gael TDs expressed “relief” the Dublin South maverick had gone.

A change in leadership would not reverse the unpopularity of the Labour Party, its TDs maintain after the latest opinion poll showed it has just 6% of popular support — its lowest in more than 25 years.

Two senior cabinet ministers are calling on former senior executives at the country's banks to give back some of their pensions.

The incoming junior health minister has said he is confident that nothing underhand was behind James Reilly's decision to locate two primary care centres in his own constituency.

If the recommendations of the Constituency Commission are implemented in full, it could spell deep trouble for the following TDs:

The fiscal treaty was backed by an overwhelming majority despite initial fears in the yes camp that the low turnout could make the result closer than expected.

The Government has been urged to postpone the referendum on the fiscal treaty following game-changing events in Europe last week.

REIGNING All-Ireland champions St Kieran’s College will put their provincial title on the line when they face Kilkenny rivals Castlecomer CS in this afternoon’s Leinster Colleges SAHC final at Nowlan Park, 2pm.

THE Green Party have warned of voters opting for Independent candidates and of the next government having to pander to the needs of individuals with “narrow” agendas.

Nominations for the leadership of Fianna Fail will close at lunchtime on Monday with an election by secret ballot to be held at 2pm on Wednesday, party chairman John Browne has confirmed.

Fine Gael has been granted leave by the High Court to bring a legal challenge to the Government’s delay in calling the Waterford and Dublin by-elections.

The Government is tonight facing two more potentially damaging court battles over delayed by-elections.

Sinn Féin today accused the Government of running scared of voters and wasting taxpayers' money in a court fight to prevent the Donegal South West by-election.

The Government was urged today to lower the voting age for Dáil elections by a year to 17.

THE argument that the country needs 166 Dáil members is diminished somewhat by the tardiness of the Government’s approach to holding the three by-elections to fill vacant seats.

The Government was accused of political cowardice today in refusing to name a date for the Waterford by-election – one of three areas waiting for a new TD.

THE Government has had to rely on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle to stave off an unwanted by-election.

AIB league champions Shannon face the toughest of starts to the defence of their crown tonight as they face old rivals Garryowen in Dooradoyle (7.30pm).

Most of the country’s offshore islands will today vote in the local and European elections.

DELEGATES at the Association of Secondary Teachers (ASTI) conference yesterday called on the union to take much tougher action on the public service pension levy.

FAI chief executive John Delaney has shown Fine Gael’s Olivia Mitchell the red card amid her claims that the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road was running into financial trouble.

AS rural areas blew cold on Lisbon in the run-up to the referendum, yes campaigners were heard to assure themselves that whatever happened in the regions, the Pale would keep the colour in their cheeks.

The Yes side secured a rare constituency win today, though it will make little difference to the national trend of No votes.

Former Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt has announced his intention to quit politics at the next general election.

A 14-year-old boy, who threatened Fine Gael TD and former Lord Mayor of Dublin Catherine Byrne that he would "petrol bomb her gaff" and "get her girls", has been released on probation for six months.

THE former county manager of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) has, within months of retiring, taken up a senior position with a development company behind a controversial high-rise development in south Dublin, the Dáil was told last night.

THE Government is starving Dublin of the resources the city needs to provide quality, affordable childcare, Fine Gael has claimed.

Dublin's gaelic football team could be split in two if plans by the GAA Strategic Review Committee are given the go ahead.