Since the RTE/TG4 exit poll dropped at 10 pm on Friday evening, most of the talk about the local and European elections has been about the so-called 'Green Wave'.

Chatting some time ago to a senior Fine Gaeler we were discussing the then popularity of Leo Varadkar among the FG faithful, the more rural element of it — traditionally the backbone of the party.

So what happens when a 61-year-old, Irish-born, non-Irish tax-paying business Dragon — who thinks Travellers deserve a place in Phoenix Park — runs for president?

Dr Scally has produced a report that sets a standard. It is most unIrish in that it does not obfuscate, writes Alison O’Connor

IF Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is still convinced that the people of rural Ireland want, as he puts it, “to turn every town into a city and every village into town, and railways to everywhere,” he should stop being so condescending and get out more.

Leo Varadkar trusts Theresa May. At least, that’s what he told journalists as he arrived for the crucial leaders’ summit in Brussels, writes Juno McEnroe.

There were warning signs back in April, signs I should have paid attention to. I was in hospital, about to go under general anaesthetic and I was playing a bargaining game with the surgeon. 

Households are facing increased bin charges — but no-one can say by how much, writes Juno McEnroe and Joe Leogue.

Households are facing increased bin charges — but no-one can say by how much.

How do you know when they’re deserving? When they’re miserable, that’s how, writes Victoria White.

Life in Varadkar’s Ireland will be a bright new dawn, Leo informed us outside Government Buildings, writes Daniel McConnell

When Leo Varadkar got to his feet in the Dáil taking Leaders Questions in April, filling in for Enda Kenny, some of his closest allies realised this very well could be the next Taoiseach, writes Juno McEnroe.

Regardless of who wins the election today, the real winner in all of this has been the

June 7, 1944 was D-Day plus 1, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

If in doubt about wasteful spending in welfare, the safe thing is to label it fraud, writes Columnist of the Year Michael Clifford.

Enda Kenny is coming under increasing pressure to declare his intentions about his departure as he today becomes the longest-serving Fine Gael taoiseach.

This week, the Irish Examiner Political Team — Juno McEnroe, Fiachra O Cionnaith, Elaine Loughlin, and Daniel McConnell — have endeavoured to pin down where support within the 73 members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party is likely to go once votes are cast.

Contenders to succeed Enda Kenny as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael will in the coming days formalise campaigns; close off their inner circles; and put out their first messages.

Health managers who received controversial salary top-ups are set to keep them.

Is there no end to the hard-neck approach of agencies created by governments to carry out major projects? 

The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee has said treating people in Irish hospitals as day patients has real benefits in terms of freeing up in-patient beds and reducing costs in overnight care and in waiting list numbers.

There could be further Luas expansion coming down the line.