Politicians, rights campaigners, and commentators have joined forces to raise concern about the so-called Jobstown trial, claiming the court case is the “criminalising of political protest”.

Former minister Alan Kelly has been accused of backing “trophy projects” in his own constituency amid a row over a local railway line.

The Labour Party last night appeared to have abandoned plans to re-enter government, following a major internal backlash.

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

Fianna Fáil has moved to block the rise of Sinn Féin by encouraging their supporters to transfer to the Labour Party.

Political Correspondent Juno McEnroe sees the writing on the wall for Labour as the party fights for its survival in the upcoming election    

Ireland went over the fiscal cliff in 2005 as a direct result of poor political policies and reckless bank lending, but did not realise the situation until 2008 — when it was no longer a case of whether there would be a crash but how bad it would be.

A Labour TD wants the country’s mobile operators hauled before an Oireachtas committee to answer questions about their coverage.

One of Cork’s most established politicians, minister of state Kathleen Lynch, opposes the merger of Cork’s city and county councils.

Another Labour TD has decided not to contest the general election, and has claimed that democracy has been degraded in Ireland.

A leading Labour backbencher has warned Tánaiste Joan Burton the party must not be “stampeded” into a pre-election voting pact with Fine Gael and that grassroots members need to be given their say on the deal.

Two of the country’s leading homeless organisations have revealed it is cheaper for them to borrow from commercial banks than to apply for loans through the Government’s Housing Finance Agency.

Dissident republicans have targeted Environment Minister Alan Kelly and his family for attack, the Labour TD has been warned by gardaí.

Communications Minister Alex White has been accused of “patronising” former Clerys staff by claiming he could not bring in laws to stop capitalism after 460 people were thrown out of work.

Communications Minister Alex White has weighed in on Labour’s claims that RTÉ’s coverage of Irish Water has been imbalanced and signalled that more analysis of water services is needed by the media.

Former communications minister Pat Rabbitte has accused RTÉ of acting as a “recruiting sergeant” for Sinn Féin and far left groups opposed to the Coalition’s water charges.

Government officials will sit down with union leaders this summer to negotiate the first pay rises for public servants since the dying days of the Celtic Tiger.

There seems to be more division in the Labour Party over the tabling of a bill to allow for abortion in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has clashed with another Government TD after insisting the exact details of the IAG Aer Lingus takeover offer cannot be made public due to strict Irish laws.

The former Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has said he believes the next election will not take place until the end of the Dáil term.

THE Labour TD explained how he wouldn’t like to owe Joan Burton money, because he’d feel obliged to pay it back within 24 hours. 

As nominations open for the job of Labour leader, one backbencher has outlined for the need for a "generational shift" to revitalise the party.

By Noel Baker

The Dáil has signed off on plans for an Oireachtas banking inquiry.

Hundreds of teachers have threatened to use all options “including strike action” in a bid to derail Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s plans for some to work throughout summer as part of a new year-long further education system.

Some teachers may be forced to work to a 12-month year schedule as part of plans to overhaul the further education system.

AT LEAST it was fitting in Holy Week that we asked the question: Will Labour walk on water?

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin should drop his faux surprise over concerns the HSE will fail to meet its Budget 2014 cutback targets — he has been repeatedly warned about the scenario since October, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Even if he had not set himself up as some kind of moral force for good in the Dáil, Patrick Nulty’s fall was still as squalid as it was unexpected.

Fine Gael backbenchers have cast doubt over the position of the Garda commissioner after calls by senior ministers for him to apologise over remarks he made about whistleblowers.

The Dáil has voted down a motion which would have guaranteed the future of the post office network.

The number of micro-enterprises supported by the Government-backed emergency credit facility Microfinance Ireland has increased by just 46 in the past three months.

While the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) is at the centre of the top-ups controversy, it is just one of 13 voluntary hospitals and agencies paying bosses extra salaries from “privately funded” sources.

The long-awaited Oireachtas banking inquiry could last up to 200 days and cost €3m, TDs have been informed.

MICHAEL Noonan boasted he was “handing Ireland her purse back” — but not before letting Brendan Howlin riffle through it to snatch what cash young mothers and old ladies had left in it.

A former Priory Hall resident, whose partner took his own life, will not be pursued for the outstanding debt on the property.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn issued a public slap-down to Fine Gael as tensions over means testing capital assets for student grants escalated.

A Labour TD is calling on all Labour rebels who have left the parliamentary party to come back and show a united front.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny needs to “give leadership” in tackling alcohol abuse and persuade ministers resisting change “to play their part”, former drugs minister Roisín Shortall has said.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn failed to convince teachers there will not be further pay cuts or small rural school closures.

A Labour TD has said the Tánaiste will talk further with the Taoiseach on the party's views over the issuing of an apology to the Magdalene survivors.

Junior Minister and Labour TD Sean Sherlock is calling on party chairman, Colm Keaveney, to resign.