A culture of sexism and misogyny in Irish politics in decades past is laid bare in a book about the role of female politicians.

The Eighth Amendment was never needed and was only introduced after a campaign which purposely set out to frighten people, a former justice minister has said.

Grandparents and their families have joined forces in appealing for a yes vote in the referendum on the Eighth Amendment, rejecting suggestions that senior citizens will vote against repeal on May 25.

Senior figures have hit back at claims key Áras staff members are having their access to President Michael D Higgins blocked by an aide.

AROUND the time my secretary threw my marijuana plant out the window was the period when I was expert on the Seanad.

FIANNA FÁIL TD Timmy Dooley has criticised Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore for refusing to attend a male-only dinner during his St Patrick’s Day trip to America.

TRIBUTES were paid to an inspirational and pioneering school principal last night as the secondary school he founded marked its 25th anniversary.

WAKING up at the end of a week that teased us with a whiff of excitement in the presidential race, we’re left with that empty feeling described in the opening line of Samuel Beckett’s novel Murphy: “The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new.”

YOUR suggestion of a Ministry for Reform backed up by a monitoring Parliamentary Committee — with teeth — is absolutely spot on.

ENDA KENNY has insisted he will stay on as Fine Gael leader even though the latest poll has shown the party is level with Fianna Fáil and nine points behind Labour.

IT’S not just the contents of the budget that have landed the Government in the mire. It’s lack of communications planning.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen would have been “quite entitled” to warn his ministers about the need for cabinet confidentiality, a Government spokesman has said.

THE late John Wilson was, I’m sure, a fine public representative and minister over many years. He was also a noted classical scholar and Gaelic footballer.

FORMER Energy Minister Bobby Molloy told the Moriarty Tribunal yesterday he was unaware his predecessor had given a Dáil commitment that State lands in Co Wicklow would be sold by public tender.

IT’S a curious thing. If someone rises through the ranks of the Garda Siochána to become commissioner, they’re not expected, when their term ends, to go back to being a rank-and-file garda.

Allied Irish Bank chief executive Michael Buckley was never expected to make it this far, but AIB’s recent record results and successful Polish push suggest he might make it to retirement, Kyran Fitzgerald reports.

A HOUSE which would have cost just under €1 million five years ago sold this week for a record-breaking €10m — without a measurement taken or brochure printed.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT President Pat Cox yesterday voiced his opposition to any unilateral action against Iraq, as he was named European of the Year 2002.

POLITICAL colleagues and friends gathered in Terenure last night to pay respects to Jim Mitchell, who passed away on Monday morning.