One of just eight constituencies to remain unchanged by the latest Constituency Commission, Meath West remains a three-seater.

Pro-life Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín has refused to say if he will vote in favour of abortion legislation should the issue come before the Dáil again, despite his party’s ard fheis backing calls for fatal foetal abnormality terminations and the repeal of the eight amendment.

The final Dáil vote saw 31 TDs oppose the X case legislation as numbers were swelled by left-wing deputies protesting that the new law was not liberal enough.

The “party strictures” in Sinn Féin mean many members who are opposed to abortion do not articulate their views, according to its justice spokesman, Peadar Toibin.

Fine Gael's Damien English has been elected in Meath West on the third count.

OUR politicians are so self indulgent. It’s always about them. Dithering over the timing of the election date reminds me of similar political paralysis in 2008.

TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey stands to earn a €316,000 windfall in the first year after his retirement and an annual pension of €134,000 after that.

BOG owners who have agreed to sell their land to the Department of the Environment for conservation purposes have been told they will not be paid until 2014.

HOSPITALS lost more than 165,000 bed days last year because patients were kept in after they were deemed medically fit for discharge.

One of the world’s leading microchip manufacturers, NEC Electronics, tonight blamed soaring production costs for the loss of 350 jobs with the closure of its Co Meath factory.

THE crucial double by-election next spring, prompted by John Bruton and Charlie McCreevy taking up EU jobs, will be used by the political parties to position candidates for the 2007 general election.