THE €800,000-plus paid to TDs and senators for teaching jobs they have not worked in over the past decade has been described by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe as not significant.

FINE GAEL will force a Dáil vote on the Government’s controversial medical card move next week.

An outspoken Fianna Fáil backbencher has said he believes the Taoiseach has caused himself real damage as a result of the payments be received from businessmen in the early 1990s.

CRUCIAL components of Apache attack helicopters transported through Shannon Airport in February were likely to have been manufactured in Ireland, an Oireachtas committee heard yesterday.

THE alleged economic benefits of a lavish flood protection project “miraculously” increased as the cost of the scheme almost quadrupled.

BRACE yourself for this one: Seán Haughey received a round of applause from Fine Gael and Labour TDs during the week.

IN addressing the fate of Judge Brian Curtin, the Cabinet this morning faces the biggest crisis to hit the Government since returning to office two years ago.

EMBATTLED Minister for Health Mícheál Martin was backed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last night as he continued to face criticism for his handling of the SARS crisis.