An opposition Independent TD whose ongoing support is crucial to Leo Varadkar becoming taoiseach next week has said he has an "open mind" to potentially being offered a junior or full ministerial role in return for his help, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner.

Reaching out and reaching back were twin themes on the Co Clare ICA agenda last month.

Not many of the 2,151,293 who voted in the election were working hard on the Sunday evening of the St Patrick’s Day weekend.