The Government is being accused of allowing problems reach crisis point before attempting to tackle them.

Leading rebel Labour TDs have launched a stinging attack on Bono and his U2 bandmates, calling on them to give Irish tax authorities some “New Year’s Pay” during this unprecedented economic crisis by bringing their tax affairs back to Ireland and helping to rebuild the country which all four band members reside in.

Nessa Childers has resigned from the Labour Parliamentary Party.

Former Junior Health Minister Róisín Shortall has criticised Dr James Reilly's fast-tracking of two hospital projects in fellow Ministers' constituencies.