The Junior Minister had been a partner in government as part of the Independent Alliance.

Mr Halligan has yet to give any indication of whether or not he would be putting his name on the February 8 ballot.

A Joe Halligan goal proved the difference as Westmeath defeated Wexford in Saturday's Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup senior football opening round tie at St. Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy.

Longford, Offaly and Westmeath delivered victories, with Carlow also beginning brightly this afternoon.

Independent Alliance Minister John Halligan has hit out at Independent TD Noel Grealish’s decision to stand over his comments about migrants “sponging off” the State.

Minister of State John Halligan has joined fellow political representatives from Waterford in calling on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to ensure the city is the new headquarters of the planned merger with the Kilkenny/Carlow division.

At a meeting in County Hall, many of the 55 councillors gave examples of problems in their various areas. They have decided to write a “strongly-worded” email to John Halligan, junior minister at the Department of Education & Skills, urging him to get more and bigger buses to solve the issue.

Talks between the Department of Public Expenditure and the Department of Education are ongoing over whether the school bus scheme will continue to include certain children after Minister John Halligan said he would fight for more funding to ease the problem.

Minister of State for Training and Skills John Halligan has vowed to continue to fight for an extra €4m for the school bus scheme to continue to include concessionary children.

Cavan secured their place in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship again next year with a decisive win against Westmeath this afternoon, while the Lake County ladies now face a winner-takes-all Relegation Final with Monaghan next weekend.

A memorandum of understanding signed between the Department of Business here and its Chinese counterpart on boosting technology links between the two countries has not been ensnared by the trade war between President Trump’s White House and China, which involves allegations against China’s Huawei tech giant, the Government has said.

Not for the first time in Clare jerseys, David Tubridy and Gary Brennan rose to the occasion with huge displays to propel their team to victory in Mullingar and to within touching distance of the Super 8s.

A 67-year-old woman who died of a methadone overdose had expressed a wish to stop taking the drug, an inquest heard.

Goals from James Dolan and Joe Halligan did the trick in Mullingar as Westmeath battled through to Round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.

The Transport Minister Shane Ross has awarded €5m to an airport that does not operate any commercial flights.

Minister of State John Halligan has added his voice to calls for an independent investigation into mortuary facilities at University Hospital Waterford as the journalist who broke the story tells of six families who have raised concerns.

Three Ministers are focusing this St Patrick's Day on opening up new markets for Irish companies across three continents.

A government minister has called upon the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to “come out and stand up” for international soccer star James McClean over his refusal to wear a poppy.

The plight of the Catholic Church in Ireland, beset by scandal, dwindling numbers, and rapid change in the surrounding culture, is an ironic juxtaposition — in terms of timing and context — with the Labour Party.

Health Minister Simon Harris has agreed to provide a “modular” catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) to allow for increased numbers of diagnostic and follow-up procedures for cardiac patients.

Pro-choice members of the Independent Alliance have warned pro-life TDs and senators not to block the 12-week abortion access legislation if there is a yes vote on Friday, saying to do so would ignore the public’s wishes and be “absolutely wrong”.

Pro-choice members of the Independent Alliance have warned pro-life TDs and senators not to block the 12-week abortion access legislation if there is a Yes vote on Friday.

A minister of state has claimed that he has been barred from sponsoring his godson at a Confirmation Mass because of his views on abortion.

Junior minister John Halligan has called for the “toxic” HSE to be broken up and for an independent review to recommend a new authority.

John Halligan said he does not know whether the Independent Alliance will lose Sean Canney.

Independent Alliance TD Sean Canney is working to hammer out a separate deal with the Taoiseach to remain in Government as an Independent, it is understood.

Fianna Fáil has ruled out any sort of a “gentleman’s agreement” to extend the confidence and supply deal by six months to deal with Brexit.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has all but ruled out forcing an election this year — but has strongly hinted he is prepared to go to the polls in spring 2019 amid ongoing tension within his party.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned that foreign funding cannot be allowed to back any sides in the abortion referendum and that rules will apply to campaigning.

A junior minister has described the record-breaking hospital trolley count as “outrageous”.

Chances to train as apprentices in jobs ranging from animation to supply chain management are set to open from early 2019.

John Halligan will be briefed on international political tensions by the Department of Foreign Affairs today.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has defended his decision not to sack John Halligan for his discriminatory comments to a woman he was interviewing for a job by saying the remarks are "not a hanging offence".

No doubt the Alliance are damaged but the gang of five have shown far more to justify their time in Government, writes Daniel McConnell.

Independent Alliance TD and junior minister for training and skills John Halligan has said he will cover the cost of the €7,500 fine and associated legal bill over his “are you married?” interview gaffe.

The tax scandal of the week is not so much the Paradise Papers but that we taxpayers have to foot the bill for the Waterford TD’s caveman interview technique, writes Clodagh Finn

The country’s human rights chief has expressed disappointment that Skills Minister John Halligan tried to defend his discriminatory questioning of a prospective employee rather than simply accept that he was wrong.

Conflating a man’s character with one episode of poor judgment makes idiots of us all, says Áine Carroll.

Junior minister John Halligan has said he will not appeal the decision which found he discriminated against a female official in a job interview by asking if she was married.

The trip by Shane Ross, Finian McGrath and John Halligan to North Korea is definitely off — and it was only ever a project they had talked about and had never developed to a stage where they were going, according to the transport minister.

The meek are promised that they shall inherit the earth. That distracting, deferred consolation, though of ever more questionable value, may transpire. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has expressed confidence in Independent Alliance minister John Halligan who is facing calls to resign. Mr Halligan said he “regrets” asking an official if she was married in a job interview last year.

The Taoiseach has expressed concern that ‘beastly’ things might happen to three of his ministers if they go ahead with plans to visit North Korea.

Reacting to the news, the National Bus and Rail Union has said it is "appalled" that the Transport Minister would consider going to North Korea, saying he "refuses to work towards sorting a major rail dispute".