The Galway East TD Colm Keaveney has voted against the social welfare bill.

Éamon Ó Cuív has confirmed that he resigned as deputy leader of Fianna Fáil because he differed with party leader Micheál Martin over the party's position on the EU fiscal treaty.

A complaint about former British Labour Party minister and Rotherham MP Denis MacShane has been referred to the Metropolitan Police, the UK parliament's standards watchdog said today.

Three former UK cabinet ministers have been suspended by the Labour Party over allegations they were prepared to use their position to influence government policy for cash.

Pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych declared victory in Ukraine’s presidential run-off today, but his opponent rejected the claim, saying the vote was too close to call.

Democratic Unionist leader Peter Robinson faced calls today to publish legal advice clearing him of breaching his code of office.

AN inquiry into the failures of the financial regulatory system could begin within months, according to Environment Minister John Gormley.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was today facing the prospect of a dramatic challenge to his leadership after two former Cabinet ministers issued a call for the issue to be resolved "once and for all".

A former British government minister apologised unreservedly today and promised to repay more than £13,000 (€14,400) in second home allowances which he claimed on a house where his parents live.

BRITAIN’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday suspended ex-minister Elliot Morley from the Parliamentary Labour Party and an aide to Tory leader David Cameron quit his post, as the Westminster expenses scandal claimed its first scalps.

EDUCATION Minister Mary Hanafin is still awaiting the final draft of legislation to transfer the handling of all college grant applications to Vocational Education Committees (VECs) — 15 months after first announcing the plans.

A British parliamentary committee has slammed the authorities in the North for their poor record in waste recycling.

DRINK-DRIVING Fianna Fáil TD GV Wright last night made an emotional apology to his party colleagues for the embarrassment caused by his offence.