Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are set to add numbers to the Seanad election race from candidates who lost their Dáil seats.

Sinn Féin’s political tsunami has led Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to perform a major U-turn on potential coalition talks.

Latest: Leo Varadkar said Jim O'Callaghan could have recused himself from representing Gerry Adams.

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

Here’s a new year wish: May our politicians remain clothed while there are cameras around.

The problem for Timmy Dooley and Niall Collins is that they are denied the status of knaves because they have been certified as fools instead, writes Gerard Howlin

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have declared war on each other after both parties made a series of formal complaints alleging their general election opponents have repeatedly broken rules in the Dáil votes saga.

A greyhound owned by a syndicate of Fine Gael politicians is at the centre of a controversy concerning an alleged breach of animal welfare legislation, which has resulted in a fine being imposed by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB).

Fine Gael TDs and senators are this afternoon getting a detailed briefing on the government's pre-Brexit budget, amid fears over higher carbon taxes and a backlash over delayed benefits.

Fine Gael TDs and senators have been told that an extension to the increasingly fraught Brexit negotiations is “alive” but that there is still some way to go in the talks.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has defended the sending of a naval vessel to New York next week as part of Ireland's bid to land a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The latest report 'Donations to Political Parties 2018' from the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) details donations from persons exceeding €1,500.

Ignoring health service workers who are set to strike and their pay demands is "dangerous", Labour warns.

Fine Gael TDs have privately raised fears the party could be dumped out of office by a Fianna Fáil-led minority government unless it tackles a worrying poll slump before the next election.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he cannot commit to publishing the awaited report into the Maria Bailey 'swing-gate' controversy.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's power to call four Dáil by-elections is likely to be taken from him, under rules which allow the Opposition have a say.

Leo Varadkar has told a private meeting of Fine Gael TDs that an internal review to “establish the facts” in the Maria Bailey saga will take two weeks.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told a private meeting of Fine Gael TDs that an internal review to “establish the facts” in the Maria Bailey saga will take two weeks.

Fine Gael TDs have been given a telling off by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for being absent for a Dáil vote yesterday.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed his “disappointment” at the decision of UK prime minister Theresa May to renege on the Irish backstop in the event of a disorderly Brexit.

Fine Gael TDs and senators will be briefed on "general election preparedness" at a behind-closed-doors pre-Dáil think-in on Monday, 24 hours before the Dáil re-opens after the Christmas break.

Here are all the latest headlines this lunchtime...

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will sack junior health minister Catherine Byrne if she abstains in a vote of no-confidence in Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy today.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy will tomorrow attempt to address concerns by junior health minister Catherine Byrne after a warning that she may abstain or support a Dáil motion against him.

Cast your mind back to 2009, writes Daniel McConnell.

The special Fine Gael meeting on abortion heard concerns that the party could be politically damaged if it gets its strategy wrong on a planned referendum later this year.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has voiced concerns about the welfare of the unborn over proposals to legalise abortions in all cases up to 12 weeks of gestation.

The likelihood of Fine Gael ministers voting against plans to repeal the Eighth Amendment and allow unrestricted access to abortion up to 12 weeks has increased, after the party said ministers can vote with their conscience in the Dáil.

Government TDs in rural constituencies are set to hit out at the €100bn 10-year capital plan and planning framework today, amid concerns their own areas are being ignored for new projects.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar may use the resignation of Frances Fitzgerald as Tánaiste as an opportunity for a wider reshuffle at Cabinet to embolden the party ahead of any general election.

The Taoiseach didn’t just misread the room — he wasn’t even in the same neighbourhoodas people of political experience, says Alison O’Connor.

The government's strategy on homelessness has been criticised by its own Fine Gael TDs after recent controversial remarks by the Taoiseach and the Housing Minister comparing the problem here to other countries.

The Government will reintroduce controversial plans to reduce alcohol advertisements and ban low-cost drink sales, with fresh concessions for small retailers around the storage of alcohol in shops.

AA Ireland says it supports the strengthening of the drink-driving laws because it will make roads safer.

Transport Minister Shane Ross says the mass cancellation of flights by Ryanair was totally unacceptable for passengers and “should have been foreseen”.

A spokesman for Leo Varadkar says the Taoiseach has "nothing to add" to comments he made about the Jobstown protest on Wednesday.

A Dáil vote on beefing up drink-drive laws has been postponed until the autumn but a number of ministers have expressed concern about plans to take offenders off the roads.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been urged to match crowdfunding of 56,000 euro to train 300 women to run in the local elections

The Taoiseach has sought the advice of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on how to achieve a gender balance in politics.

The Government is to press ahead with controversial reforms of the judicial appointments system despite an unprecedented warning from the country’s top judges that the move will have “serious implications for the administration of justice”.

Check out the latest stories from the newsroom with our lunchtime bulletin.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has faced criticisms from within his own party that the appointment of Máire Whelan was an act of stroke politics.

Fine Gael TDs are attempting to appease Waterford’s John Deasy after the experienced Fine Gael TD was overlooked for promotion by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.