A motion to give members a greater say in decision-making in the party has been passed at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis.

Delegates at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Dublin have voted in favour of giving equal marriage rights to all people regardless of race, religion. gender or sexual orientation.

The Cabinet is expected to approve plans for a multi-million euro exporters fund when it holds its regular weekly meeting today.

The Taoiseach is warning that living standards in Ireland will fall and that taxes are going to rise.

IARNRÓD Éireann admitted last night it will not meet its target to have the Cork-Midleton railway line reopened by next July, and says it is now more likely to be late October 2008.

The Taoiseach has promised to implement a €4bn package of tax reductions, an increase in the old-age pension to €300 and 2,000 more Gardaí on the streets if returned to government after the next election.

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen last night indicated he would finally give the go-ahead to the East Cork commuter rail project next week.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern used his key note address to the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis to launch a presidential-style general election campaign dominated by his personality and reputation for economic competence.

A major information campaign is to get underway after Christmas to inform the public what needs to be done in the event of a national emergency.

The Minister for Finance Brian Cowen is calling on Fine Gael and Labour to put up or shut up when it comes to preaching on the economy.

THE threat of nuclear power is looming over this country once again and it is coming, not from an unfriendly country, but from one of our own State agencies.

GORDON BROWN and Brian Cowen have a lot in common. They both gave budget statements this week.

THE Taoiseach last night insisted he would rather go into opposition after the next election than cut a deal with Sinn Féin.

The Government is set to crackdown on wealthy investors who buy property to avoid paying their fair share of tax.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night played the republican card and moved to reclaim the spirit of the 1916 uprising from extremists as he announced plans for a major national celebration to mark its 90th anniversary next year.

The decision to debate a motion wishing former leader Charlie Haughey well at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis is a sign of the party’s maturity, a Government minister claimed today.

BARRISTERS working for tribunals of inquiry earn more in three days than old age pensioners receive in a year, Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy told the Dáil yesterday.

The Government’s commitment to decentralisation remains absolute, the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis heard.

THE largest family gathering in the country was Martin Cullen’s curious description of the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis.

Hospital action groups are rejecting reassurances given at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis about the implications of health service reform.

Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Coughlan, is to provide €1m for family and community groups to mark the European year of the family.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night signalled a partial climbdown on the Hanly Report when he confirmed smaller hospitals would maintain 24-hour emergency cover provided by doctors.

AT first glance, IBEC and the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) don’t seem to have that much in common. IBEC is for wealth creation.

WORK starts today on a €50 million, 16,000-seater convention centre in west Dublin - the first phase of a proposed €800 million plan that will transform the area.

HIGH taxes must be imposed on developers who hoard land or who make vast profits on the back of rezoning decisions, if house price increases are to be curbed.

DEFENDING champions Neptune and the reigning Cup champions, Mardyke UCC Demons, got their respective ESB Men’s SuperLeague campaigns off to the perfect start yesterday when Basketball Ireland introduced the new conference format under which this season’s competition will be decided.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will make a defiant defence of his record at today’s Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis, in an attempt to shore up party morale during a mid-term crisis that may damage its prospects in next year’s local and European elections.

Moves have been made to wind up the company at the centre of the National Aquatic Centre controversy, according to reports this morning.

In two separate moves at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis today, party representatives declared war on smoking and also insisted that they would tackle Ireland’s weak infrastructure.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will attempt to rouse the Fianna Fail faithful in his keynote speech at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis tonight.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern tonight issued a strong defence of day-long ceremonies in Dublin to honour 10 men executed by Britain for their part in Ireland’s war of independence more than 80 years ago.

Sinn Fein today welcomed "belated" calls by Fianna Fail to put candidates up for election in the North.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has delivered his keynote address to the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis tonight.

Leaders in Northern Ireland must stop using "brinkmanship" politics if peace is to be brought to the province, Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen said tonight.

The Minister for Defence has said that there is no reason to believe that Ireland is a direct target for international terrorist attacks.

The Minister for Health, Michael Martin, has warned that the new National Health Strategy, which is to be published in the near future, will not bring about an immediate impact.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has pledged that the Government will do all it can to help Aer Lingus.

A row has erupted over the timing of a state funeral for 10 Irish patriots executed by the British for their part in the War of Independence 80 years ago.

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has postponed the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis, planned for April 6 and 7 due to the Foot-and-mouth crisis.