Businessman Denis O’Brien’s “target” in his legal action over Dáil statements about his banking affairs is the “future freedom of parliamentary debate”, the State has told the High Court.

Billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien will give evidence today in his High Court action alleging two TDs “clearly disregarded” the constitutional separation of powers between parliament and the courts when they made statements in the Dáil about his banking affairs.

Businessman Denis O’Brien wants the courts to “clearly demarcate” the powers of the Oireachtas and courts in his “unique” action over Dáil statements by two TDs about his banking affairs, the High Court has heard.

Six left-wing TDs are facing potential Leinster House disciplinary action after breaking strict political emblem rules by wearing pro-choice ‘Repeal’ jumpers in the Dáil chamber.

Sinn Féin has confirmed that a review of salaries for its Oireachtas members is under way.

An internal report by Fine Gael TDs on the party’s election campaign was handed to Taoiseach Enda Kenny 24 hours after the party’s final Dáil meeting before the summer break.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny looks set to defer the vote for taoiseach in the Dáil which was due to take place next Wednesday, it has emerged.

A leading senator has hit out at the “bloody thin” salaries TDs are paid, claiming politicians who have lost their seats will be forced to survive on “very little” parachute supports after they leave office.

Junior Environment Minister Paudie Coffey has slammed Kildare County Council in a row over pylons, claiming he had to block proposals from the local authority “in the national interest”.

But Mayo representative claims calls to Kenya were work-related

Her views on “fornication” propelled Michelle Mulherin into international headlines. Now, her international phonecalls have left the Mayo TD open to a taxpayer backlash, suggests Shaun Connolly.

ENDA TRIED to make him come clean on Rehab, he said: No! No! No!

The whistleblower behind the explosive Ansbacher dossier informed the Revenue Commissioners of 27 new cases of alleged tax evasion, 10 of which yielded "substantial" settlements.

The Seanad is in need of reform, but the bill launched last week demonstrates that reform is attainable.

Leaflets criticising the TD who chairs the Dáil committee hearing opinion on legislating for the X case, and likening abortion to the Holocaust, are being sent to homes in Cork.

The economic slump hit home for Guinness drinkers in the country’s best known bar last year, with sales of the black stuff down almost 20%.

Nursing unions opposed to HSE plans to hire recruits at 80% of current pay rates have pledged to target TDs in their attempts to hobble the plan.

The carer whose letter underlined national anger over planned respite care cuts has told TDs unless they prevent the move their sympathy and words of support are only “crocodile tears”.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has been urged to give the carer’s allowance to all 9,000 people on waiting lists as part of an “amnesty” to clear chronic backlogs.

Labour backbenchers rounded on the party’s leader and senior ministers over the long-term damage caused to the party by a series of broken promises.

Planned savings from the Government’s 19% cut to respite care will be wiped out if just 480 families give up and put their loved ones into State care.

The Government comfortably survived one of its biggest tests yet, as TDs last night approved the first crucial stages of the coalition’s welfare budget cuts in the Dáil.

More than 200 families will make a last ditch attempt to stop politicians from voting in favour of a planned 19% cut to the respite carers’ allowance during a Dáil protest today.

Senior Labour figures have clashed over the introduction of harsh budget measures as coalition partners Fine Gael look set to stand over the cuts being voted on this week.

WELL done to Independent TDs Clare Daly, Mick Wallace, Luke “Ming” Flanagan, and Joan Collins for trying to perform a public service in the Dáil this week.

Regardless of the cause of Savita Halappanavar’s tragic death, the powerful international ‘pro–choice’ lobby is demanding that abortion become a right in Ireland.

I read this morning that TDs have collectively voted to give themselves a week’s holiday to coincide with the schools’ mid-term break.

Like a lot of people, I am convinced that our politicians actually think that we are all idiots complete with the memory span of goldfish. I’d like to think differently but the list of items that support this argument is endless.

At least 111,000 new medical cards have been handed out this year, adding to the burden on health spending which was discussed at a special cabinet committee meeting yesterday.

I find the debacle over TDs’ expenses frustrating considering the excessive wages they already earn.

A number of politicians may be forced to pay back expenses they claimed for campaigning outside of their constituencies, after the Oireachtas said allowances for such work were never envisaged under the rules.

Left-wing politicians funding nationwide travel to fight the €100 Household Charge under special Dáil allowances have been breaking the rules, it has been confirmed.

WORD from the rarified surrounds of Seanad Éireann, the crèche that cares for the oldest and boldest children in the country, that the rations are low and the natives are restless.

AN abiding theme of recent letters to The Irish Examiner is the helplessness experienced by the Irish people to take effective action to redress the Government’s brazen funnelling of the nation’s wealth into the pockets of those who already have too much.

SENATOR and children’s rights activist Jillian van Turnhout received abusive and racist phone messages and emails after deciding not to back David Norris’s bid for the Áras.

GIVEN how many election promises are being ripped up to pay for the bank bailout, I propose a tax on political U-turns.

BOOZY TDs have run up Oireachtas bar and restaurant debts of almost €70,000, it has been revealed.

THERE was no shouting, debating, vitriolic exchanges or even derogatory comments.

PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Avril Doyle has vowed to give up her TD, ministerial and MEP pension entitlements if she is elected to the Áras.