Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd has ruled himself out of the race to become the Ceann Comhairle in the 33rd Dàil.

After days of ridiculous claims that a left-wing coalition was possible, Sinn Féin has finally re-entered the real world, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

Former Fine Gael TD Noel Rock lost his Dublin North-West constituency seat in the General Election, which he had won in 2016.

Fine Gael TD Pat Deering has slammed the posting of fake election leaflets bearing his face to voters across Carlow.

The Taoiseach has ramped up his efforts to make Brexit the key election issue and said that should the public elect Fianna Fail to office they will be getting an “untried and untested team”.

The party has not been forgiven for the austerity measures of its coalition with Fine Gael and will struggle to hold its seven seats.

Maria Bailey has confirmed she will not be seeking re-election next month.

“It’s a bit weird being the leader of a party at an election for the first time,” Leo Varadkar said.

Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell says two properties on the same street are empty- one for more than a year.

New figures show more than 2,800 passengers travelled on the Number 41 Dublin Bus from Lower Abbey St to Swords during the first five nights of the overnight service.

The Sports Minister has said that funding to the FAI cannot be restored until it has completed a massive overhaul of its corporate governance and leadership.

Self-driving vehicles and remote work were for some of the proposals discussed by Cabinet for a future job strategy.

Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan has launched a blistering attack on Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy during a private meeting of the parliamentary party.

The most disappointing aspect has been the response of Leo Varadkar to this whole affair.

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen has been cleared of any wrongdoing over 'votegate' while the case of three other TDs has yet to be decided.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha has said it should not take a personal visit to the emergency department for the political system to know that citizens should not be subjected to lengthy waiting times.

A Fine Gael TD has compared a hospital emergency department to a “South American” facility and described “shocking” conditions after she waited over seven hours before leaving with her child — who was not seen by a clinician.

The Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee has expressed “grave concern” after it emerged that just one in 10 people ordered to surrender their driving licence actually did so before the courts.

A judge in Tralee last year ordered payments to the poor box which were 133 times more than the judge in Ennis, it has emerged.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has ruled out calling a snap pre-Christmas general election warning it would "not be in the country's interests", despite a number of Fine Gael ministers insisting he should go to the polls now.

In a major Houses of the Oireachtas Commission survey which was leaked earlier this week, officials found that a large number of people working in Leinster House have suffered significant bullying and harassment.

Proposals to ban passengers from some peak-time rail services unless they have pre-booked seats have been slammed as "absolutely unacceptable" by the chair of the Dáil's transport committee.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has appealed for fairness after a failed local Fine Gael revolt to remove embattled south Dublin Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey as a party general election candidate.

Former minister and Labour TD Kathleen Lynch is quitting politics and will not contest the Cork North Central by-election or general election, saying Labour must pass on the torch to survive.

The developer seeking a contract to provide a centre for asylum seekers in Oughterard, Co Galway, has denied making “intimidating” comments to a delegation of residents last week.

Minister Richard Bruton has strongly backed fellow Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey to represent the party in the next election following her “swing-gate” controversy.

Fianna Fáil has ruled out pulling support from the Government over their opposition to the current €5bn rural broadband plan.

Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey has resigned as chair of two more Oireachtas committees - including one focussed specifically on ethical rules - in the wake of the swing-gate controversy.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has signalled to a meeting of his Fine Gael ministers that he would prefer the upcoming by-elections to be held in November, even if his party is unlikely to win any of them.

The furore around the Maria Bailey ‘swing gate’ case helped the public understand the costs bearing down on the insurance industry — but the Government will too quickly forget the lessons over insurance claims and high legal costs, according to FBD boss Fiona Muldoon.

Tusla could be given new powers to shut down sub-standard crèches “immediately” and to tell parents of any investigations they are currently at risk of knowing nothing about.

A Fine Gael TD has broken ranks and said that Maria Bailey should not stand for the party in the next general election.

Culture Minister Josepha Madigan is facing demands to explain the “murkiness” of her role in the Maria Bailey swing case after an independent report confirmed she gave her colleague “initial” legal advice.

Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey has been removed as Chairperson of the Oireachtas Housing Committee following an internal inquiry into her accident on a swing at a Dublin hotel.

Sport Ireland has said it supports Minister Shane Ross’ call for FAI president Donal Conway not to seek re-election to the board of the football association of the football association.

Sport Ireland has said it supports Minister Shane Ross’ call for FAI President Donal Conway not to seek re-election to the board of the beleaguered football association.

Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey could have her role as chair of the Housing Committee removed this week over her swing-case controversy.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will reveal what sanctions he will take against Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey over the swing case controversy next week — but will refuse to publish the report into what happened because of written deals with those involved.

An ally of Fine Gael TD John Deasy has lodged a formal complaint with the Taoiseach over alleged “bullying and intimidation”.

Waterford Fine Gael TD John Deasy has demanded the local Fine Gael organisation be stood down as he hit back against a motion of no-confidence in him.

Armed gardaí will not solve the problem with drug gangs in Drogheda, according to Fine Gael TD for Louth Fergus O’Dowd.

Independent Clare Daly has pledged to “rattle the cages of those in authority” after being elected to the European Parliament in the constituency of Dublin.

Dublin's four new MEP seats have finally been decided, after three days of counting.