Former Communications Minister Alex White has said he is “mystified” by the €3bn cost of providing the National Broadband Plan.

As voters prepare to cast their ballot in tomorrow's European elections, new analysis of Google search trends has revealed the issues and personalities that have sparked the most interest ahead of polling day.

On Friday, Irish citizens will be asked to cast their vote for candidates who will represent them in the European Parliament, as well as at local council level and a referendum on divorce legislation.

"A parliament or institution is only going to be sexy if it is doing things that are relevant to people's lives. Otherwise, it's not going to be particularly attractive."

The latest figures to confirm they will seek an MEP seat were Independents Mick Wallace and Clare Daly, who will run in Ireland South and Dublin.

The ballots are set for May's European elections.

The Labour Party has selected former Minister Alex White to contest the Dublin constituency in this May's European Parliament elections.

One always suspected a day like yesterday would come.

A group of Labour councillors have called on party colleagues to focus on core issues rather than a possible leadership challenge to Brendan Howlin.

The Government has decided to change a law governing working time which excludes members of the Defence Forces and the Garda Siochána from its provisions, the High Court heard.

A Cork IT company has come to the rescue of 3,000 homes in rural counties by providing high-speed broadband, as the Government comes under fire from opposition politicians for failing to connect the regions with its broadband policy.

Another member of Cabinet has declared that Irish Water customers should have their money refunded.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s decision to grant responsibility for the roll-out of “rural broadband” to the newly created Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts, and the Gaeltacht looks to have created considerable inter-departmental confusion over the delivery of the National Broadband Plan (NBP).

The modern Irish Girl Guide is a feminist who not only learns lessons but also takes action

Eir is one of the frontrunners for the lucrative National Broadband Plan contract.

The Labour Party appears ready to consider going back into government with Fine Gael, despite suffering a near wipeout in February's General Election, writes Daniel McConnell of the Irish Examiner.

The flag-waving and cheers of recent days provoked all the usual debates about 1916, confirming once again, as if it needed to be, that we all cling to our particular beliefs certain in the knowledge that our view is the correct one and that any other need not be countenanced.

The concentration of media ownership in Ireland has been identified as “high risk” in a major EU study on media diversity.

Labour figures have backed acting minister Brendan Howlin to take over the leadership as recriminations break out over mismanagement of the party’s election campaign.

Look at the raft of TDs who are known for their liberal views... who got the chop from the electorate, writes Alison O’Connor.

The Labour Party will not support Enda Kenny’s nomination for taoiseach a second time, if he fails to be elected this Thursday.

What we need from the next Dáil is an understanding that care is the fundamental work of any society, writes Victoria White

Political Reporter

The Cabinet is due to meet this afternoon to discuss possible options for the government following the weekend election results.

Joan Burton will not be contemplating her position as leader of the Labour party until after a new government has been formed.

On May 12, 1916, James Connolly, Labour’s founding father, was taken out into the yard of Kilmainham Gaol, tied to a chair, and shot dead.

Dozens of previously high-profile politicians are waking up to the reality today that they are no longer TDs after a second successive general election saw a seismic shift in the Dáil landscape.

Labour leader Joan Burton has declined to say whether Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s TV leaders’ debate admission he was responsible for a key “cronyism” appointment in 2014 will damage the coalition’s re-election bid.

Labour has put pressure on Fine Gael to have the process of a referendum on the Eighth Amendment “well under way” by the summer.

Those earning in excess of €100,000 will be hit by a “wealth tax” of 5% under controversial plans proposed by Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

Communications Minister Alex White has defended Eircode, estimated to cost between €38m and €50m, after An Post said fewer than one in 10 letters and parcels use the new postcode.

Small rural post offices could receive up to €20,000 a year in government subsidies to stay alive.

The Taoiseach has been questioned over a reappointment to the board of the ESB six months in advance of the start date. Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White this week appointed Noreen Wright to the board of ESB for a second term of office, despite the fact that this term will not begin until June 28 — long after the general election.

The Government has rejected enshrining rights in the Constitution for ethnic minorities — including Travellers — to practise their cultures, despite an independent body recommending the move.