A Cork property developer who alleges he was defamed by Fine Gael's Lucinda Creighton has told the High Court he was shocked by a speech she gave denouncing "cute hoor" politics.

A jury has begun hearing a High Court defamation action by a property developer who claims his reputation has been tarnished by Fine Gael's Lucinda Creighton.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton has today defended a Cabinet colleague who said that that income tax hikes may have to be considered if people refuse to pay the Household Charge.

The head of SIPTU has launched a scathing attack on Finance Minister Brian Lenihan following his suggestion last night that the Government may cut the minimum wage.

The Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has reportedly launched an attack on certain professions that she says are failing to become more competitive.

A KEY to improving Ireland’s economic prospects is to invest as much on pre-school and early primary education as on roads and infrastructure, Labour Party finance spokeswoman Joan Burton claimed last night.

IRELAND’S growing affluence has numbed and dulled society’s vision of the common good, a campaigner for the homeless warned yesterday.

Ireland’s growing affluence has numbed and dulled society’s vision of the common good, a campaigner for the homeless warned today.

THE weeks since the election and the start of the silly season have seen some interesting exchanges between the Government and the opposition, and indeed within the Government, about political policy and positioning.