There are fears of a split in the leadership of Fianna Fáil that could come to a head over the referendum on the Fiscal Compact Treaty.

The Royal Canal will be fully re-opened to boats next year, it was announced today.

Junior Agriculture minister Eamon O' Cuiv will be asked to explain to the Taoiseach why he voted "No" to the Nice Treaty, despite campaigning for a yes vote.

A member of the Government who voted "No" in the country’s shock referendum rejection of the European Union’s Treaty of Nice is to be quizzed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.