A leading Labour backbencher has warned Tánaiste Joan Burton the party must not be “stampeded” into a pre-election voting pact with Fine Gael and that grassroots members need to be given their say on the deal.

The decision we are seemingly determined to make, is return to where we were, writes Gerard Howlin

TDs and senators claimed over €61,000 on food, drink, taxis, and entertainment while outside Ireland on official parliamentary business last year

Government TDs opposed to the sale of Aer Lingus are set to meet unions this week amid growing speculation that the Cabinet is to sign off on the drawn-out €1.3bn deal by the middle of April.

Grass-roots members have overwhelmingly rejected plans to sell the State’s “jewel in the crown”, Aer Lingus, unless IAG agrees to an independent valuation of the firm alongside further regional connectivity and jobs guarantees.

Senior Labour figures have ruled out expressing support for €1.36bn offer to buy Aer Lingus until after the general election.

Clare Daly's amendment on abortion in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities has been defeated in the Dáíl this afternoon.

Labour parliamentary party chairman Jack Wall has said he is confident party TDs will vote in line with the Government today and oppose a Dáil motion on legislating for fatal foetal abnormalities.

Get a taste of some of the interesting and quirky happenings in Europe from our Europe correspondent, Ann Cahill.

The Dáil looks set to call for recognition of the state of Palestine after the Government said it would not oppose the move.

The Government’s addition of two members to the banking inquiry to secure a majority has caused anger among backbenchers, with one Fine Gael TD publicly calling on the Taoiseach to remove a coalition member.

A Labour TD has today joined calls urging the Taoiseach to back down from the decision to force a Government majority on the banking inquiry.

Alex White is expected to announce his bid for the leadership of the Labour Party later.

The Battle for Labour’s top two posts was becoming bitter last night as Joan Burton faced a challenger in the tussle for the party crown.

Junior minister Alan Kelly has confirmed that he is running for deputy leader of the Labour Party.

Joan Burton’s bid for the Labour leadership edged closer last night after her party colleague Brendan Howlin ruled himself out of running for the position.

"The senior people get the senior positions. It’s the nature of politics," Labour’s chief whip, Emmet Stagg, mused on RTÉ radio the night of his party leader’s resignation. "The younger generation have to serve their time."

As nominations open for the job of Labour leader, one backbencher has outlined for the need for a "generational shift" to revitalise the party.

As senior Labour ministers took to the airwaves on Saturday to defend their party’s record and leader, conversations started taking place between its young turks on what to do about Eamon Gilmore.

The battle for the job of pulling the Labour Party back from the brink will begin today when nominations open for a leader to replace Eamon Gilmore who conceded his party needs "a new voice".

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore is due to make a statement at 4pm, amid widespread rumours of his impending resignation.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore is to face two motions of no confidence, it has emerged.

A criminal investigation is under way in Uganda following a second case of financial irregularities in the disbursement of foreign aid.

The number of micro-enterprises supported by the Government-backed emergency credit facility Microfinance Ireland has increased by just 46 in the past three months.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has suggested health insurers could make savings themselves to prevent price hikes for consumers.

The Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs said that a youth guarantee scheme would provide protection for young people across the country who are out of work.

Ireland needs to strengthen its ties with our European neighbours if we are to ensure our economic recovery.

Labour backbenchers are pushing their ministers to introduce a higher rate of tax in this year’s budget for people earning over €65,000.

People would vote to abolish the Dáil if they were given the chance, a TD has warned as the future of the role of the Seanad came under fire.

It was hardly surprising that Eamon Gilmore was the only party leader who failed to turn up to the count centre in Ashbourne.

Gay rights groups have welcomed proposed laws which would ensure that religious-run schools could not sack a teacher based on their sexuality.

A plan to change the law that allows schools or other religious employers to fire gay teachers is to be published tomorrow and is expected to get government backing.

Politicians, fellow farmers, and sporting groups paid tribute to the late junior agriculture minister Shane McEntee, who yesterday died suddenly in tragic circumstances.

Efforts are being made to resolve a split between the Government parties over proposed cuts to the health budget.

Labour TDs have rejected claims they are preparing for a snap election.

A special Oireachtas committee set up to allow both sides in the fiscal treaty air their views will publish its report today.

The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said Ireland could apply to the IMF for a second bailout even if the country votes against the EU Treaty referendum.

A NEW super junior Cabinet minister appointed today will come from outside Dublin with either Jan O’Sullivan or Alan Kelly among the favourites to take the post.

TÁNAISTE Eamon Gilmore’s leadership style came under fire from some of his backbenchers last night, as he prepared finally to unveil his new Cabinet choice.

Members of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement will travel to the North today.

UP to 40,000 teenagers are expected to take part in a nationwide campaign next week aimed at stamping out homophobic bullying at school and persuading the Government to address the problem with urgency.

With all bar four of the 43 constituencies in the General Election finished counting, the country’s political scene has undergone a sea change.

Former Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin has failed to retain her seat in Dun Laoghaire. Richard Boyd Barrett won the seat, bringing the haul of seats for Independents and others to 17.