James Heffernan has a formidable election team at his home base, writes Mid-West Correspondent Jimmy Woulfe

Many constituencies are likely to see upheavals due to boundary changes, seat reductions and a shift in voter preferences.

A businesswoman who confronted presidential candidate Sean Gallagher on live TV over his business ethics and was subsequently accused of being a “political plant” is set to run for the Social Democrats.

One of the chief advisers for Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy, who played a key role in highlighting the sale of Siteserv to a firm linked to businessman Denis O’Brien, is set to run in the general election.

Battle lines are being drawn up in west Limerick over a plan by a US company to build a €240m facility which will convert municipal waste into gas and electricity.

Ongoing problems at Aras Attracta, Cork punter scoops a Euromillions prize, Burger King Tralee goes viral and April Fools that went horribly wrong. These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this lunchtime

Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan has said that 325 garda recruits are required every year to keep staff numbers at the minimum strength of 13,000. That is 26 recruits more than are being trained this year.

An independent senator has called for recreational drugs to be legalised and for the State to control the sale of substances. Senator James Heffernan made the remarks as emergency legislation was rushed through yesterday to re-ban the possession of ecstasy, magic mushrooms and other drugs.

New figures from the State’s ethics watchdog reveal that €17,000 in political donations were declared by TDs, senators and MEPs for the whole of last year.

Junior minister Tom Hayes has come under cross-party pressure to formally investigate integrity and corporate governance problems at the Irish Greyhound Board.

Clonoulty-Rossmore 1-11 Kildangan 0-14

Embattled Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has vowed to move against party rebels after he suffered another blow to his authority.

Labour could be set to lose another member of its Parliamentary Party today.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has seen off a rebellious Seanad vote against her budget measures despite opposition from independent senators.

Labour senators will be warned that if they vote down budget cuts this week then a delay in legislation will result in €124m in lost savings for the Government.

Embattled Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore put the Labour Party on a war footing as he faced a fresh rebellion on child benefit cuts and a backlash against “bullyboy” tactics.

Eamon Gilmore’s problems are only just beginning, writes Political correspondent Mary Regan

Rebel Labour TD Colm Keaveney is expected to be removed as party chair over fears he will use his position to create further disunity and undermine the leader, Eamon Gilmore.

Eamon Gilmore has cautioned his party about spreading rumours about the budget as members openly talked of Labour dissent and frustration.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has hit back at criticism over Labour’s choice of a luxury venue for its annual party think-in.

Labour Senator James Heffernan ponders whether it was appropriate that the portraits of politicians who had been “found culpable of corruption, of abuse of power, abuses of privilege and, indeed perjury”, should still hang in Leinster House.

A Labour Senator has today called on Bertie Ahern to resign from the President's Council of State.

Two more Fianna Fáil members criticised in the damning Mahon Tribunal report resigned from the party yesterday ahead of a motion to expel them later this week.

A FORMER leader of the Seanad brought a close to the election count by imploring newly elected members to fight for the continued retention of the Upper House.

Counting of votes cast in the Seanad election is due to resume at around 10am this morning.

DESPITE winning an almost identical first preference share to the Spring Tide of 1992, the Labour Party has made a far more forceful breakthrough this time.

FINE GAEL fears of two of its candidates in close proximity in Limerick proved to be unfounded as newcomer Patrick Donovan joined long-serving colleague Dan Neville in the Dáil.

FORMER Tánaiste Dick Spring, who led Labour into two coalition governments with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, has said a Fine Gael government depending on support from independents is doomed to failure.

CLONOULTY-ROSSMORE claimed the spoils in this Tipperary SHC semi-final in Thurles yesterday despite having played second fiddle for long spells to a Kildangan team that has come a long way in a short time.

UL 0-14 CIT 1-8

GOODWILL to all men — even those of a Fine Gael or Labour persuasion — has broken out in the office of a leading FF strategist in Limerick.

It may be tempting to pick up the cheapest painting rollers and brushes possible when you set about changing the colour scheme of your home.

Cashel CS 2-11 Midleton CBS 1-9

Thurles CBS 2-15 Coláiste Chríost Rí 1-2

Tipperary 1-16 Clare 0-8

TIPPERARY minor bosses have made one change for Thursday night’s Munster MHC semi-final clash with Clare at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick (7pm).

IT may be tempting to pick up the cheapest painting rollers and brushes possible when you set about changing the colour scheme of your home.

JAMES HEFFERNAN can never play contact sports again. He lost his right eye two years ago when he was accidentally hit in the face with a hurley during a club game.

DRIVERS with poor vision are just as dangerous as drunk drivers, experts have warned.