Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan has been elected in the Dublin constituency European elections after the third count.

Micháel Martin is batting off an apparent challenge to his leadership.

The Labour Party is bracing itself for a weekend of tough questions as counting gets under way for the local and European elections, which are expected to mark a major breakthrough for Sinn Féin and a shift towards anti-austerity candidates.

Is Eamon Gilmore already Labour’s lost leader before a vote has been cast?

The Labour Party has pitched itself against Fianna Fáil in the battle for the last of three seats in Dublin, where Emer Costello remains its only hope of avoiding a wipeout in next Friday’s European elections.

There is cause for concern for Labour ahead of this Friday's local and European elections, with the publication of two new opinion polls.

Labour will have an "opportunity to reflect" after this week’s local and European elections, according to deputy leader Joan Burton, as the party prepares for a drubbing by disenchanted voters who are turning to Sinn Féin and a mostly left-wing group of Independents.

Candidates competing for a seat in the EU parliament have pledged to support environmental causes if elected to Europe and criticised the Coalition for failing to agree binding targets for climate change.

For anyone wanting to design a political obstacle course, the route chosen by Mary Fitzpatrick makes a good template.Mary Fitzpatrick, Fianna Fáil candidate for Europe, canvassing in Raheny, Dublin. Pic: Maxpics

IRELAND had some of the best performers in the European Parliament over the past term, punching above their weight and taking full advantage of the huge additional powers the MEPs have gained.

Mary Fitzpatrick smiles down in splendid isolation from the ESB poles of Main Street, Swords. She is alone among Euro election candidates in occupying high vantage on the thoroughfare. All the other posters are for the locals, candidates of a lesser political god, but perhaps one that has far more relevance to the lives of the voters.

A new opinion poll shows fights for several seats in the European elections.

Oh, how embarrassing. You’re in the middle of a furious, relationship- ending row, and suddenly the doorbell rings and you remember this is the night you invited the neighbours over for drinks.

A new survey published today forecasts further gains for Sinn Féin in the European elections.

Labour has snubbed offers of an informal voting pact in next month’s European elections between the Coalition parties despite pledges of support from Fine Gael candidates.

RTÉ has rejected claims by an MEP that 60 staff were sent to London to cover President Michael D Higgins’ state visit, stating the figure is an overestimation.

The GAA has come under further attack for its decision to sell broadcasting rights to Sky Sports with claims people on low incomes and particularly the elderly will be sidelined from enjoying key matches.

Farmers have expressed fears that panic reaction to the latest climate change report will place an unfair burden on agriculture to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The Labour Party is predicted to lose all its three seats in the European Parliament in May’s elections, with Sinn Féin taking them, according to bookmakers Paddy Power.

The EU's poorest citizens will continue to get food, basic material assistance and social welfare from an EU Fund worth over €3.5bn.

Coalition parties have stuck with sitting MEPs to run in the looming Euro polls.

Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes has denied his decision to seek a Fine Gael nomination to run for the European Parliament is because he took part in the failed 2010 heave against party leader Enda Kenny.

Bailout exit a big boost to Kenny’s CV

AN American author once said timing was the longest distance between two places and this certainly rings true for the weekend’s Labour Party Conference in Killarney.

Presidential campaign hits a snag

Junior finance minister Brian Hayes has insisted he will not be bounced into standing for Fine Gael in the European elections.

A delegation of MEPs has been refused access to the Gaza Strip by the Israeli authorities.

Labour will struggle to avoid wipe-out in next year’s European elections after revised constituency boundaries add geographical difficulties to their low opinion poll ratings.

The Tánaiste will lead a conference in Dublin today which hopes to work out how the EU's €6bn fund can be used to bring down youth unemployment.

The European Parliament is calling on energy producers to focus on the likes of seaweed and food waste as alternative sources of biofuels.

A Labour MEP has said young people should be learning about road safety while at school.

A seminar on youth unemployment today will hear that work placements offered to jobseekers must be quality controlled.

EUROPOL INFILTRATE BABY-TRAFFICKING RING

Globalisation solution is an EU problem

Austria refuses to share bank details

HATS OFF TO THE CAP ON BANKER BONUSES

Musical chairs in European Parliament

Charities providing food parcels to the poor fear proposed cuts to EU supports will reduce their ability to help the hungry here.

Details of a new €2.5bn anti-poverty fund are being announced today.

Twenty senior and junior ministers will address 17 committees in the European Parliament over the next three days on their role in progressing EU legislation over the next six months.

A scheme to guarantee everyone under 25 work, training or an educational opportunity within six months of coming on the jobs market could cut social welfare costs considerably, according to the EU.

Labour MEP Emer Costello is today urging the EU Commission not to allow Ryanair to takeover Aer Lingus.

Busy Enda forced to relinquish EU role

The no side has made the treaty poll a phoney war for the next election, and will gain ground even if it passes, but the Government has it all to lose, writes Gerard Howlin