RTÉ has defended itself against claims made by Senator David Norris, who has accused it of "squirting accusations" of wrongdoing into the public domain.

A councillor criticised in RTÉ’s Investigations Unit exposé on standards in public office has sought to defend taking part in a planning vote which impacted a site he co-owns.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Over €220,000 has been spent by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to date on investigations into one of its care facilities in Mayo at the centre of allegations of abuse towards vulnerable residents.

The majority of TDs cost the taxpayer more than half a million euro each in pay and expenses in under four years, while TDs who are also ministers have received, on average, €631,000.

At least 100 current Oireachtas members have received in excess of half a million euro in pay, expenses and allowances since the current Government came to power in March 2011.

The Psychiatric Nurses Association says it would support undercover HSE staff in care homes and creches.

Maia Dunphy examines our concepts of beauty in the concluding episode of her series What Women Want on RTÉ2 on Thursday.

A Government report into the needless deaths of newborn babies at Portlaoise Hospital has been described as “reeking of whitewash” by a leading senator and doctor.

The Child Abuse Redress Scheme does not apply to all victims equally, says Conor Ryan