Health, housing and education will dominate the general election campaign today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was tonight forced by his Coalition partners to make a statement on controversies surrounding his financial affairs.

The cost of a house is now 11 times the value of the average pay packet, the Dáil heard today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today defended himself in the Dáil against allegations of “double standards” in public office.

Tánaiste Mary Harney attempted to draw a line under any tensions in her Progressive Democrats party today by insisting none of her time was taken up with fighting Michael McDowell.

The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell today insisted that he and Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney were completely united within the Progressive Democrats Party and in Government.

A united Ireland should be created as soon as is humanly possible, it was claimed today.

Tanaiste Mary Harney tonight talked of the “tough decision” of the Government to permit the United States use of Shannon airport before and during the Iraq war.

Former minister Dr Rory O’Hanlon - father of Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon - was today chosen as Ceann Comhairle of the newly-elected 29th Dáil.

Mary Harney was today campaigning after shrugging aside opinion poll evidence that the Progressive Democrats party could be further decimated in the general election.

The Government is under intense new pressure over plans for a referendum on abortion law tonight following an opinion poll’s indication that their proposal for reform could be lost in a nationwide vote.

In an initial response to the Government’s new abortion referendum plan, veteran pro-life campaigner Des Hanafin said Mr Ahern had honoured his commitment to have a nationwide vote on the issue.