A year ago, Leo Varadkar held all the aces.

WILL the Ming Dynasty continue to rule in Roscommon, and if so, is the by-election to be remembered as Micheál Martin’s last stand — the beginning of the end for his leadership?

Ear To The Ground returns for a 20th series, Thursday on RTÉ One. Presenters are Helen Carroll, Darragh McCullough and Ella McSweeney.

INDEPENDENCE Day has come once again as the importance of the Dáil’s non-party TDs continues to grow while the Government’s majority diminishes.