It has been claimed vulture funds that have spent millions purchasing Irish loans are using tax loopholes to cut down on the amount they pay here.

TV3 and the Irish Daily Mail have apologised to former Minister Phil Hogan for "untrue and damaging" publications.

“You can just tell, almost as soon as they start talking. They’re posher,” so explains the die-hard Fianna Fáiler on how you can spot a supporter of the oul’ enemy, Fine Gael.

Former Minister and Independent TD Michael Lowry has hit out at comments from Health Minister Leo Varadkar who said he has “issues with the law,” saying Mr Varadkar should desist from such commentary having made “a mess” of the health service.

Former Minister Michael Lowry says he is disappointed that his constituency colleague Alan Kelly has "harangued" him in public.

Former minister Conor Lenihan has signalled he will run for the Dáil again if Fianna Fáil make him an offer he “cannot refuse”.

Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett faces the prospect of a motion of no confidence in the Dáil after he was accused of stymieing efforts by TDs to scrutinise Irish Water legislation.

The Government has promised to deliver high-speed broadband to 700,000 homes expected to be forsaken by private operators over the coming years.

The dysfunction in our housing market was underlined again yesterday when MEP and former minister Brian Hayes warned that the Central Bank requirement that potential home buyers must have a 20% deposit before they can be considered for finance was “unfair”.

Former Minister Fergus O'Dowd says he will not be resigning from Fine Gael.

Former minister Lucinda Creighton has insisted she is not a "political tease" after downplaying talk of setting up a new party.

Concern that Irish Water could pressure landlords to hand over former tenants’ PPS numbers has led TDs to demand an intervention by the Data Protection Commissioner.

Ireland should boycott Israeli military goods after buying almost €3m worth during the past three years, Sinn Féin has demanded.

-Duo arrested at Shannon Airport

Former Minister Mary Hanafin has been elected for Fianna Fáil to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

A jubilant Nigel Farage has insisted Ukip will be “serious players” at the British general election after the party landed major blows on the Tories and Labour in local polls there.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has warned that a culture of change is needed in An Garda Síochána as the Cabinet begins talks this week about setting up a full inquiry into allegations of misconduct.

Former Minister Mary Hanafin has until noon today to withdraw as a local election candidate for Fianna Fáil in Blackrock in Dublin.

You are to be congratulated on taking the debate on the Seanad seriously, (Editorial, Sept 3) – and calling for others to do so.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has moved to calm nervous Labour backbenchers, who are worried that taxes on wealth have not featured enough in the Budget.

Micheál Martin has said evidence from the Mahon Report was sufficient enough to pursue charges against party officials.

Former minister Pádraig Flynn and Cork developer Owen O’Callaghan could face a Garda investigation after the Mahon Tribunal found they had received or made corrupt payments.

Former Minister Ó Cuív has now decided to leave his position on the Fianna Fáil frontbench due to his differences with the leader of his party on the proposed Fiscal Treaty referendum.

Former Minister Mary O'Rourke has said the Lenihan family is in "a very bad state" at the death of her nephew Brian, who died overnight.

BUSINESS leaders in the west are to step up their efforts to keep two regional airports open following the Government’s decision to terminate funding from the end of this year.

Former Minister Eamon Ryan has been elected the new leader of the Green Party.

Former Minister Eamon Ryan has been elected the new leader of the Green Party.

Former minister Eamon Ryan is among three candidates vying for leadership of the Green Party who will learn their fate on Friday.

The Green Party leadership contest gets underway today, with Eamon Ryan and Malcolm Noonan the only two names yet in the ring.

Former Minister John O'Donoghue has admitted that he handled the expenses controversy badly.

Former Minister Michael Lowry has been officially censured by Dáil Éireann this morning without a vote.

Former Minister Michael Lowry has tonight launched a scathing attack on the report of the Moriarty Tribunal today, calling it a "show trial".

The Green Party has said Fine Gael's policies "do not stack up", are not thought through and are lacking in detail.

The Green Party has presented itself as an alternative to Labour saying it would be willing to go into government with Fine Gael after the election.

Former Minister Micheál Martin has emerged as the front runner in the Fianna Fáil leadership race.

Former Minister Michael Lowry is in court claiming comments by journalist Sam Smyth wrongly imply he is a thief and a corrupt politician.

Former Fianna Fáil TD Jim McDaid was the worst attendee this year in the Dáil, according to official figures released this evening.

Political Correspondent Conor Ryan selects some of the best quotes in a week of political strife

The Government will publish its €15bn plan for drastic savings today as it battles economic ruin against a backdrop of political turmoil and a further downgrading of the country's credit rating.

THE blame game within Government over last week’s botched communications effort has intensified after the Taoiseach’s spokesman said Brian Lenihan’s department was responsible for handling the issue.

Former Minister Jim McDaid has resigned his Dáil seat.

BRIAN COWEN’S denial he gave a radio interview while drunk provoked worldwide attention last night and raised questions over his leadership.