There may be collaboration on the budget, but there is deadly political competition between the two big centre parties, writes Gerard Howlin.

As female journalists gather this weekend for the Women in Media conference, Marjorie Brennan wonders why there are so few female voices on our radios.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross would do well to acknowledge the transport crisis and leave the judiciary well enough alone, writes Gerard Howlin.

We watch on as Aleppo, the third oldest city in the world, is blown into oblivion while our Dail chamber argues over who should get credit for an extra fiver on the pension. It makes you wonder what sort of world we live in, writes Fergus Finlay.

Israel may be wrong in many of its policies, especially in colonising the West Bank, but we are hypocrites, writes Gerard Howlin

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has signalled that his party is open to government formation talks with Fianna Fáil and would even consider putting together a programme for government with their rivals.

Helen O’Callaghan talks to three high-profile women whose experience of breast cancer triggered a new creative phase, setting them on a path of self-discovery, healing, and a greater appreciation of life.

Here's what to watch on the box tonight.

SATURDAY - Referendum 2015 RTÉ One, 10am

A man depicted in a poster for the upcoming referendum has spoken about how it feels to unknowingly be the face of the No campaign.

Michael Lowry’s ‘fine girl you are’ note to Enda Kenny in reference to Valerie O’Reilly shows that political patronage is as central to governing as it ever was, writes Michael Clifford

MARGARET McLOUGHLIN was born with three things. Down syndrome; a serious untreatable heart condition; and a huge, infectious, and empathetic personality. She wasn’t expected to live. But live she did, to the fullest extent that was possible.

THE Tuam babies story this week says much about the past, but about the present also.

AS we look back on the bailout years from the vantage point of our exit, there will be further calls for a wide-ranging enquiry as to why our banks failed us so badly.

Highlights include the return of Ear To The Ground, and Áine Lawlor's tale of her battle with breast cancer.

INCISIVE, clear, concise, RTÉ journalist, Séan O’Rourke, is dogged in his pursuit of a story.

Seán O'Rourke is to replace Pat Kenny in the mid-morning slot on RTÉ Radio 1, the state broadcaster has confirmed.

It was the kind of gathering Colm Murray would have loved.

Claire Byrne was last night installed as odds-on favourite to replace Pat Kenny on his mid-morning radio slot after his surprise announcement that he was defecting to Newstalk Radio.

Barely had the shock of Pat Kenny’s departure from Montrose registered in the national consciousness before the bets were on.

BROADCASTER and journalist, Áine Lawlor, has been at the heart of Irish current affairs since 1994, but her story made headlines in 2011, when she took a break from presenting Morning Ireland for ‘medical reasons’.

RTÉ’s Morning Ireland presenter Áine Lawlor has told an international conference that fighting cancer was like a gardener trying to eradicate dandelions — you had to make sure every tiny bit of the root is removed.

Ask any cut-and-thrust surgeon about a hard day’s work and he or she is likely to say something like: “It was bedlam today.

MORNING Ireland presenter Áine Lawlor was low-key last October when she told listeners she was “taking a break for medical treatment”. The 50-year-old didn’t say she had breast cancer.

Almost nine months after she left the programme to undergo treatment for cancer, Morning Ireland stalwart Áine Lawlor was back on the airwaves yesterday.

The training of teachers in 22 different colleges is wasteful in a country this size, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has said.

Broadcaster Áine Lawlor, who is being treated for cancer, intends returning to her regular slot on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland later this year.

Irish emigrants living abroad may be allowed to vote during future presidential elections under plans being considered by the Government.

RENOWNED RTÉ journalist Áine Lawlor has been diagnosed with cancer and will be off air for while she undergoes treatment.

SATURDAY

PRIMARY teachers struggling to complete their professional qualifications because of trouble finding work should soon see a reduction in the amount of time they must spend in the classroom.

PRIMARY school teachers are predominantly happy in their job and most believe their pupils enjoy being in school and are well-behaved, according to research.

IRELAND’S favourite alarm call Morning Ireland yesterday stood with the great shows in the history of Irish broadcasting as it celebrated 25 years on air.

MORNING Ireland will celebrate its 25th anniversary this morning with the first broadcast of the entire programme in front of a live audience.

Congratulations to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, which today celebrates 25 years on the air. It is a great achievement for any radio show to last that long, but in this case it is a phenomenal triumph because it has established itself as an important and vibrant source of news for a great many people.

THE power to hold inquiries into teachers who breach conduct rules and remove their authority to work in schools will soon be handed over to the profession’s self-regulation body.

EAMON GILMORE gave a fascinating interview on Tuesday’s Morning Ireland. It was the finest I have heard from the new leader of any party. He was forceful, yet compassionate and fair.

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell yesterday blamed media and opposition “hysteria” for forcing him to rush through emergency legislation to deal with the statutory rape crisis.