Ireland South MEP candidate Malcolm Byrne has played down any suggestions of an internal rift in the party between him and running mate Billy Kelleher.

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has ruled out making a second bid to become president of Ireland, saying “once is enough”.

Post-election legal action, drinking with Nigel Farage, a brother involved in anti-Government protests, EU broadband funding demands — oh, and the little matter of the Ireland South MEP race. Fiachra Ó Cionnaith meets Fine Gael’s Sean Kelly.

A major row has erupted within Fine Gael after junior minister Andrew Doyle was ordered not to attend a hustings event next week, after previously being told he could go.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has insisted he "can't afford" for his patience to run out with Britain over the ongoing Brexit crisis, despite admitting the Westminster drama will play havoc with Ireland's European election plans.

Major row occurred between party candidates Billy Kelleher and Malcolm Byrne over the divide

MEP Seán Kelly has called on Fine Gael to reconsider allowing a candidate to contest the presidency as he reiterated his desire to run for the Áras.

MEP Brian Crowley has been urged to resign after four years of absence from the European parliament because of the “damage” to Ireland’s interests and because of the UK’s imminent exit from the EU.

Brussels bureaucracy could delay plans to introduce the sharing of air travel passenger data between EU states in the fight against international terrorism.

THE DECISION by Aer Lingus to recommend acceptance of the latest offer for the company from International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, puts the Government on the spot. Either it or Ryanair can effectively block the sale.

It’s been a surreal three weeks, my first foray into the world of politics and several lessons learned.

After a juggernaut of a count that lasted three days, Fine Gael’s Seán Kelly and Deirdre Clune joined Brian Crowley and Sinn Féin’s Liadh Ní Riada as Ireland South MEPs.

It was the only time he took it lying down — beaten but far from broken.

Fianna Fáil will today launch a last-minute change of strategy by carving up Ireland South in a move expected to anger its sitting MEP, Brian Crowley, who is known for closely guarding his huge vote share.

Sinn Féin’s past and present collided on a sun-drenched pier in Cork City this weekend.

With just a week to the local and European elections, it was jobs, jobs, jobs when the Taoiseach visited Cork.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will make a significant jobs announcement in Cork this morning as recruitment firm Oxford International unveils a major expansion.

The image of the European Commission as pushing austerity and creating difficulties for Ireland is wrong, the Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso will say today when he is awarded a honorary degree by University College Cork.

Handbags and airport shopping will be allowed on all flights free of charge from next year and compensation for cancelled and delayed flights will kick in after just three hours.

The news that Munster’s first Educate Together second-level school is to open in Co Cork has been welcomed locally.

JOBS Minister Richard Bruton has ordered state agencies to come up with a south-east employment action plan after admitting he is “not happy” with the Industrial Development Authority’s job creation performance.

Any plans to harmonise EU corporate tax rules must be strongly opposed by the next Irish government, according to Labour MEP for Ireland South, Alan Kelly.

BERTIE AHERN has expressed interest in running for president after months of speculation that he wanted the job, but many Fianna Fáil TDs are opposed to the idea.

LABOUR MEP Alan Kelly has asked Gardaí to investigate how his official account on Twitter might have been hacked after it sent out a deeply offensive anti-Traveller message.

An in-depth review is going to take place at EU level into insuring against natural disasters, which could prove helpful to those affected by the flooding of Cork in November.

FORMER GAA president Seán Kelly has insisted Donal Óg Cusack will be as respected as any other player after coming out in his autobiography.

KATHY SINNOTT suggested a campaign had been orchestrated against her following the Lisbon treaty referendum defeat last summer, after losing her seat as an MEP to Labour’s Senator Alan Kelly last night.

The count for Ireland South has finished for the night and will resume in the morning.

AN aspiring MEP has got to know their geography and, with the wide expanse of the European constituencies, it’s easier said than done.

Green Party Senator Dan Boyle is hoping 'Britain's Got Talent' singing sensation Susan Boyle’s luck rubs off on him in the European election.

AS AN opinion poll published today reveals a sharp increase in voter support for the Lisbon treaty, Fine Gael is at odds as to when a second referendum should be held.