Government spending agencies have been quizzed about the massive cost overruns in the planned build for the national children's hospital as pressure mounts to explain the €1.5bn project spend.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Budget 2019 is “a responsible budget for a modern and caring Ireland that aims to be at the centre of a changing world”.

“Hey Ceann Comhairle, don't’ you get me wrong. I’ve got Shane Ross in the corner and he’s coming on strong”

The Government has denied there is any pact with Michael Lowry, amid criticisms about the “chicken feed” fine imposed on the Independent TD for tax offences.

A State review into abuse at a Galway foster home has been deemed “insufficient” by one of the victims who lived there.

Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone has put Fianna Fáil and other opposition parties on red alert by saying she will be “pragmatic” and cut a deal with any party that has enough seats to form a government after the next general election.

A radical shake-up of the TV licence system is being considered, including a lower charge for all households which could be collected by Revenue.

Savita Halappanavar died as a direct result of Ireland’s abortion laws and not simply because she contracted sepsis, the author of the independent report into her death has said.

An opposition Independent TD whose ongoing support is crucial to Leo Varadkar becoming taoiseach next week has said he has an "open mind" to potentially being offered a junior or full ministerial role in return for his help, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner.

An Independent TD is seeking an all-party motion in the Dáil calling for the suspension of plans for the proposed Children's Hospital at the St James' site in Dublin.

The Independent Alliance is wooing Independent TD Stephen Donnelly and hopes to cut a deal with the Wicklow man so he will join the group in the new year.

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has revealed she was close to leaving the Government last week over the Apple tax ruling but that she now supports the decision to appeal the judgement.

The Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) knew, before former Rehab CEO Angela Kerins appeared before it two years ago that the manner in which it proposed to inquire into the affairs of the Rehab group was “off limits”, the High Court has been told.

The minister responsible for Eircode has issued a staunch defence of the system, despite the fact he does not use it on his own website.

A bill to liberalise the country’s abortion laws looks set to be declared “unconstitutional” by Attorney General Marie Whelan, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Leo Varadkar was seen as the major loser in Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s new Cabinet, given his demotion to the Department of Social Protection.

Independent TDs have put it up to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to form a government or go back to the country for a second election.

Independents engaged in talks with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are leaving any discussion on supporting a taoiseach down to the day of the vote.

A newly elected Independent TD has confirmed he will engage with like-minded politicians with a view to establishing a Dáil technical group that will represent rural Ireland.

Joan Collins’ barrister has applied for the case against the Independent TD to be dismissed.

Independent TD Mick Wallace has opposed as “unfair and premature” an application by a fund for €2m summary judgment orders against him over his guarantee of a bank loan to his firm.

Despite the controversy, the question over whether the coalition could turn to Independent TD Michael Lowry if it falls short of an overall majority could, in fact, help beef up Government support, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Former Minister Michael Lowry says he is disappointed that his constituency colleague Alan Kelly has "harangued" him in public.

Gardaí “have both hands tied behind their backs” when it comes to resources and the legal powers to monitor high-risk sex offenders.

An Independent TD said members of the Dáil are "outraged" at the legal action Denis O'Brien is taking against the State.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said he answered all questions from Independent TD Catherine Murphy and did not “drip feed” information. 

Does the Taoiseach really not understand the laws of this country, or does he just think they are there to be twisted to his will whenever he faces a spot of bother, asks Shaun Connolly

SITESERV can be read as the story of modern Ireland in five easy pieces, writes Michael Clifford

None of the money under suspicion of tax evasion in relation to the offshore HSBC accounts that came to light as part of the Swissleaks controversy were transferred from Irish banks, the Public Accounts Committee heard yesterday.

A plant hire company owned by colourful Kerry politician Michael Healy-Rae reported accumulated profits of over €345,000 last year, according to accounts filed to the Companies Registration Office (CRO).

Health Minister Leo Varadkar will push Fine Gael to campaign at the next general election on a platform of loosening Ireland’s strict termination laws.

Lucinda Creighton’s proposed new party will win 10 or more seats at the next general election, her husband, Senator Paul Bradford has predicted.

Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett faces the prospect of a motion of no confidence in the Dáil after he was accused of stymieing efforts by TDs to scrutinise Irish Water legislation.

The Government is rejecting calls for an overhaul in how senior gardaí are appointed after being warned it is "indefensible" that the 200 most senior officers are approved by cabinet.

An Independent TD nominated to sit on the Oireachtas banking inquiry wants to widen its terms of reference to include the property bubble, as well as the actions of the current Government.

The Technical Group in the Dáil will meet today to decide whether or not they will nominate a person to take Stephen Donnelly's place on the banking inquiry.

Independent TD Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has claimed he and a Garda whistleblower were under surveillance this morning, as they raised new allegations of Garda corruption.

The fallout from the property crash has proven to be a massive bonanza for firms engaged in receivership work concerning loans transferred to the National Asset Management Agency (Nama).