No vote campaigners “absolutely believe” the yes side has “already lost” the same-sex marriage referendum, despite “bullying, name-calling, and a shocking campaign of intimidation” by the Government and the media.

The launch of a new political party is due to be announced this morning by former Minister of State and Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creighton.

Adopted people will have an automatic legal right to their birth certs for the first time if a bill is accepted by the Government.

Senators Averial Power, Jillian Van Turnhout and Fidelma Healy Eames have published legislation they say would guarantee all adopted people a right to their original birth cert.

The appointment to a State board of a little known Donegal politician who failed to be elected in the local elections has creative cronyism written all over it, writes Political Editor Mary Regan

By Mary Regan, Irish Examiner political editor

The Government has denied accusations of "stroke politics" in the appointment of its candidate for a forthcoming Seanad by-election to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

Arts Minister Heather Humphreys was forced to defend her decision to appoint Fine Gael's candidate for a Seanad by-election to a state board.

THE Government was accused of using an appointment to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) as a "electoral ploy" to "railroad through" its nomination for a forthcoming Seanad by-election.

The publishers of the Irish Daily Mail have apologised to Senator Fidelma Healy Eames over articles it published about her voluntary work in Rwanda.

Radical reforms on reducing pay and pensions for politicians, term limits for ministers, and limiting Government powers have been proposed by a group of Independent TDs and senators.

The distressed parents of a Galway student who lost her life in a fire in Belgium flew out to identify their daughter’s remains late yesterday.

The Reform Alliance’s window of opportunity to set up a political party may be receding after an opinion poll has showed support for such a move was significantly down.

If media exposure equalled political success then surely Lucinda Creighton would be fast-tracked to the office of the Taoiseach by now.

New political grouping The Reform Alliance, which is due to be registered with the Standards in Public Office Commission in coming days, is holding a conference at the end of this month.

Coalition sources say this week’s Seanad votes on social welfare cuts will be tight but are confident of preventing opposition parties delaying the passing of budget legislation.

The Seanad meets later today for the first time since last Friday's referendum.

The fallout between Taoiseach Enda Kenny the seven rebel “Reform Alliance” TDs and senators showed no sign of abating yesterday after Mr Kenny said he wasn’t interested in “superfluous conversations” which had nothing to do with the problems Ireland faces every day.

Fine Gael rebel Lucinda Creighton has said her new grouping, Reform Alliance, which is holding a think-in in Dublin today will “speak its own mind in the Dáil” and “vote in the best interests of the country”.

The prospect of disaffected Fine Gael and Labour elected TDs joining forces to secure greater Dáil rights has grown stronger after two from either group held discussions.

Fine Gael rebels kicked out of the party over the abortion legislation have vowed to join forces on the opposition benches as the Coalition scrambles to win important votes in the Seanad.

Rebel TDs kicked out of Fine Gael for opposing the abortion legislation could be let back into the parliamentary party after a period of time, according to a junior minister.

The Seanad has voted to hold a referendum to abolish itself by 33 votes to 25.

Expelled Fine Gael TDs resisted efforts by Leinster House ushers to move them out of their party offices and into different locations following their expulsion from the parliamentary party.

The Seanad will today begin two days of debate on possible amendments to the abortion bill.

Fine Gael lost two more Oireachtas members from its parliamentary party yesterday as two senators voted against the abortion legislation as it passed through the Upper House.

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill passed its first vote in the Seanad by 41 votes to 15.

At least two Fine Gael Senators are likely to lose the party whip with a vote on the abortion legislation later today.

Fine Gael is expected to lose up to three senators today when the House votes on an amendment objecting to the principle of legislation allowing abortion in limited circumstances.

The Government's proposed abortion legislation is facing yet another challenge in Leinster House today.

The Seanad will this week have what is likely to be its last opportunity before a referendum on its abolition to showcase itself as a relevant and necessary part of democracy as it begins debating legislation this morning allowing abortion in limited circumstances.

Dissident Fine Gael senators will attempt to block the passing of the abortion legislation through the Seanad on Monday.

The Taoiseach has been challenged to a live TV debate on the abolition of the Seanad by its most outspoken member, David Norris, who said he would “take him to pieces” on the issue.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has said the abortion bill will not lead to a surge in demand for terminations and that the proposed bill is more pro-life than current arrangements for abortions.

Across Europe in recent years, a number of alternatives to the political status quo have developed. It is time that Ireland followed suit, writes Prof Ray Kinsella

The Government faces growing opposition to its abortion legislation, with predictions that up to 10 Fine Gael members could oppose the passing of the legislation.

Fidelma Healy Eames has become the first Fine Gael Senator and female government representative to confirm she will vote against the Government's proposals to legislate on abortion unless the suicide clause is removed.

The backbench rebellion against the abolition of the Seanad is growing, with more TDs and senators opposing the Government’s plan to shut down the upper house.

DEVIOUS women and manipulative psychiatrists were recurring themes at the Oireachtas Health Committee hearings yesterday.

Abortion is not a treatment for suicidal tendencies and there are no statistics on women threatening to kill themselves who do not want a pregnancy, a leading psychologists told an Oireachtas committee.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has dismissed claims by Dublin’s Catholic archbishop that proposed X case legislation will be too liberal.

All TDs have been warned about accepting “sponsored” travel and accommodation after concerns were raised about several Oireachtas members who visited the US recently as guests of a pro-life group.

Enda Kenny has offered concerned Fine Gael TDs and senators a series of special one-to-one meetings in a bid to stave off rejection of the Government’s proposed abortion legislation.

Anti-abortion Fine Gael TDs have expressed concern at the inclusion of suicidal intent as grounds for termination but a party meeting passed off without “war”, sources said.