Both of Fine Gael's leadership contenders - Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar and Minister for Housing Simon Coveney - have both told Fine Gael TDs to be on an election footing, writes Daniel McConnell of the Irish Examiner.

The Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary, said he welcomes the announcement that a cross-departmental examination is to be carried out of the burial arrangements for children in Mother and Baby Homes.

The former Defence Minister Willie O'Dea has said he will be voting against Brian Cowen in tomorrow's Fianna Fáil confidence motion.