Sinn Féin TDs and senators yesterday voiced their support for leader Gerry Adams over his continued backing for convicted tax evader Tom ‘Slab’ Murphy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan wants to expand the overseas aid budget in the Coalition’s final months and have Ireland officially recognise Palestine as a state.

Homeowners remain in the dark about the level of property tax they will face after the Government said no decision has been made on how it will be charged.

A Fianna Fáil TD says Anglo Irish Bank is a "Dead Duck", is no longer of systemic importance and there is a case for an orderly wind-down of the institution.

BRIAN COWEN broke with tradition yesterday, becoming the first taoiseach to bring his family to Áras an Uachtaráin as he was handed his seals of office.

Taoiseach-in-waiting Brian Cowen will today be officially elected Fianna Fáil leader after a parliamentary party meeting in Leinster House.

Brian Cowen is expected to be the only candidate to have formally declared for the Fianna Fáil leadership when nominations close today.

Grades have continued to slip in higher level Irish and maths subjects, this year’s Leaving Cert results show today.

THE Government was yesterday urged by Fine Gael to crack down on disruptive students who are carrying offensive weapons, threatening teachers and assaulting fellow pupils.

Radically improving infrastructure in both jurisdictions will create economic and social progress and boost political momentum, Finance Minister Brian Cowen said today.

Social care students are losing out on valuable work experience due to the state’s poor vetting system for those working with children, it was claimed today.