The State’s legal advisory body is expected to make recommendations in relation citizen journalists and campaigners posting commentary on social media questioning the evidence of witnesses during trials in a forthcoming review of the law on contempt of court.

News that the State’s consumer watchdog is to examine the personal contract plan (PCP) car finance market has focused attention on what is a little understood financial product.

The State’s independent legal advisory body has not been requested to examine the country’s surveillance laws — eight months after the Government said it planned to do so.

Lifetime, recent, and current drug use has risen significantly, according to the State’s official national drug prevalence study.

The State’s financial watchdog will stand over his investigation into Nama’s highly criticised €1.3bn Project Eagle today and defend the expertise used to probe the agency’s actions.

The State’s largest private ambulance service owned by mortgage advocate David Hall last year returned to profit.

The State’s health services watchdog says more needs to be done to protect patients from the growing superbug threat.

The controversial sale of Nama’s Northern Ireland loan book — known as Project Eagle — is under investigation by the State’s chief auditor, the C&AG.

The State’s health services watchdog has found serious shortcomings in Cork University Hospital’s neurosurgery ward.

The State’s free money advice service has secured millions of euro in debt write-offs since January for people struggling with problem debt.

The State’s independent human rights watchdog has criticised Ireland’s support for the EU-Turkey deal on the return of refugees and migrants.

The head of the State’s child protection agency, Tusla, has confirmed that children are left in foster homes where abuse allegations have surfaced, insisting that removing them would be worse.

The State’s forensic science chief has described as cynical the Government’s decision to delay funding for a much-needed forensic laboratory until 2019.

Over 60 enforcement actions were taken against traders by the State’s consumer watchdog last year.

The state’s Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) has rolled out a new service to help homeowners struggling with mortgage debt. The new dedicated mortgage arrears service will include the provision of court mentors at repossession sittings right across the country.

The State’s political corruption watchdog has warned that a proposed bill could undermine its independence and effectively create an “amnesty” situation for officials facing investigations, unless key shortcomings are addressed.

The State’s most senior legal experts have warned sensitive and high-profile cases, costing millions of euro, are being put at risk because of staff shortages and caps on how much they can pay lawyers and solicitors.

Gardaí are investigating 34 internal cases of suspected fraud totalling €50,000, according to the State’s public expenditure watchdog.

The National Lottery last year contributed less than expected to good causes, the State’s spending watchdog revealed yesterday.

The State’s largest government department has spent €100,000 enlisting a US-owned consultancy firm to help to make its discontented staff happier.

Killers like Eamonn Lillis should not be able to get their hands on their spouse’s assets, including the victim’s share of the family home, according to the State’s expert legal body.

The rapid sell-off by Nama of its property loans and redemption of its debt is providing a huge profitability kick for Irish banks, but is probably no longer benefiting the State’s funding costs, a leading economist has said.

The State’s bid to prevent Jules Thomas, partner of Ian Bailey, proceeding with her action for damages over her alleged wrongful arrest by gardai investigating the late 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier has been adjourned at the High Court.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has ordered her officials to “reactivate” shelved plans to build a proper laboratory for the State’s neglected forensic science agency.

The State’s health service watchdog found unexplained bruising on residents in a HSE-run care home in Westmeath.

Legal issues raised by high-profile cases involving famous spouse killers Eamonn Lillis and Catherine Nevin have prompted an investigation by the State’s law review body.

The Government’s decision to exclude national security from the remit of the forthcoming Policing Authority was made despite calls from the State’s human rights body for it to be included.

Dublin City Council challenged one of the State’s watchdogs in court but the only real outcome is that the taxpayer foots both bills, writes Investigative Correspondent Conor Ryan.