Labour has chosen two junior ministers to stand for the upcoming Seanad elections.

A Labour senator has revealed how he was trapped inside his car, while bottles and stones were thrown at it, during a water charge protest in Dublin last week.

The Coalition has been accused of “smuggling” water charge compliance measures through the Dáil to force property owners and tenants to pay their bills.

There have been calls for immediate answers to be given on the Irish Greyhound Board’s future following an independent consultants’ report that said it needs to sell tracks to stay in business.

“Down the Mardyke through each elm tree” is one of the great Irish lyrics just as Slievenamon’s “To see our flag unfurled”.

Coalition sources say this week’s Seanad votes on social welfare cuts will be tight but are confident of preventing opposition parties delaying the passing of budget legislation.

An embarrassing defeat for the Government in the Seanad has been blamed on a “misunderstanding” after four Labour senators failed to turn up for a vote on proposed changes to upward only rents.

The Government suffered its first embarrassing defeat in the Seanad last night as Labour senators failed to turn up for a vote on proposed changes to upward-only rents.

Another Labour Senator is defying the party and is campaigning to save the Seanad.

Labour Senator Denis Landy is claiming he was offered a holiday if he missed last week's votes on the abolition of the Seanad.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has seen off a rebellious Seanad vote against her budget measures despite opposition from independent senators.

The coalition is facing another tough week, with the possibility Senators could delay the implementation of the social welfare cuts.

Embattled Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore put the Labour Party on a war footing as he faced a fresh rebellion on child benefit cuts and a backlash against “bullyboy” tactics.

Eamon Gilmore’s problems are only just beginning, writes Political correspondent Mary Regan

Eamon Gilmore has cautioned his party about spreading rumours about the budget as members openly talked of Labour dissent and frustration.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has hit back at criticism over Labour’s choice of a luxury venue for its annual party think-in.

METAL thieves are stealing Eircom overhead phonelines — the latest theft being 2.5km of cable in Co Kilkenny.

THIRTEEN recently elected members of the Seanad are to share a windfall of almost €440,000.

A FORMER leader of the Seanad brought a close to the election count by imploring newly elected members to fight for the continued retention of the Upper House.

Counting in the Seanad Election has ended after the fifth panel of Senators, the Administrative Panel, was filled late this afternoon.

The Labour Party returns to its roots in South Tipperary this week where TDs and Senators gather to plan a strategy to form the next government with Fine Gael.

MEMBERS of the State's European think-tank, the National Forum on Europe, have clocked up more than €162,000 in expenses in a year.

Fianna Fail and Labour will begin a post-mortem inquiry into their poor performances in last weekend’s by-election in south Tipperary.

The count is continuing in the Tipperary south by-election with Senator

Fine Gael Senator Tom Hayes remains favourite to take the seat in Tipperary South on the final day of canvassing before tomorrow's vote.

Jobs and health are the two issues dominating the South Tipperary by-election as candidates engage in final canvassing ahead of Saturday's vote.

Voters in the constituency of South Tipperary are set to face a by-election before the end of next month.