TDs have clashed on who should be the next Taoiseach as the Dáil debates candidates for the role and amid the ongoing standoff in the government formation talks.

His announcement marks the second high-profile retirement of a sitting TD from the intensely competitive constituency after the decision of Independent Minister Finian McGrath to stand down.

The Government has left it very late in the day to Brexit-proof its key voter base. But what about the rest of the country? asks Political Correspondent Elaine Loughlin

There she stood in a largely empty Dail chamber. The day after the budget is the graveyard shift when it comes to contributions from opposition backbenchers.

Mr Murphy repeatedly said it would be "inappropriate" for him to directly intervene in the cases after being heavily criticised by Solidarity-People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett.

It comes as a number of prominent independent politicians introduced a motion in the Dáil calling for an immediate inquiry and for immediate redress to be offered to survivors of Mother and Baby Homes.

A number of prominent politicians have called on the Government to establish an immediate State inquiry into forced and illegal adoption.

Trade union Unite, which represents workers in the hairdressing sector, welcomed the decision.

The government has been accused of kicking the can down the road over a proposed referendum on the public ownership of water.

The national director of the HSE’s screening service will be quizzed today about the 33 week wait for the return of cervical screening results.

The Government and Health Minister Simon Harris came under severe attack in the Dáil over fresh delays in cervical tests for women who had to be retested.

One of my favourite poems is an old reliable from Henry Reed, Naming of Parts.

Paul Williams was surprised to hear his name brought up in a Dáil debate about the quashing of penalty points. This was in late 2013, the Disclosures Tribunal heard yesterday.

New laws which will require all alcohol products to carry cancer warnings and calorie information on labels will unfairly impact on small craft brewers, the Dáil has heard.

Politicians accused of caring more about their Christmas break.

The Government has rejected that it has agreed to hold a referendum to keep Irish Water in public ownership.

If in doubt, spin it out. So appears to be the primary approach of the Government to the housing crisis and homeless emergency.

Today’s not guilty verdict in the eight week Jobstown protest trial has been warmly welcomed by many as a "victory for the right to protest"

Housing Minister Simon Coveney has denied that he is delaying a proposed referendum on the public ownership of the water system.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s crumbling coalition survived an opposition attempt to remove it from power last night, despite a tirade of opposition abuse over how the Maurice McCabe scandal has seen it go from “doing nothing” to “doing harm”.

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by TD Joan Collins regarding the legality of the promissory notes.

The Government has left the door open to the future privatisation of Irish Water, the Dáil heard last night.

The Government is set to cave into pressure from the Opposition and accept a Dáil bill that will pave the way for a referendum on the public ownership of water services.

The Government has avoided a prospective controversy as John Halligan will be out of the country when an opposition water bill, which he signed before entering government, comes before the Dáil.

TDs will vote later this week on Opposition legislation to hold a referendum on the ownership of water.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

The controversial sale of Nama’s Northern Ireland loan book — known as Project Eagle — is under investigation by the State’s chief auditor, the C&AG.

Customers face bills in excess of €500 a year to have their bins collected, representing an 80% hike on current rates when the new pay-by- weight charges kick in on July 1.

A newly elected TD has questioned why there is a need for two bars in Leinster House in a debate on Dáil reform.

Paschal Donohoe claims a referendum on the Eighth Amendment will go ahead in the near future.

Left-wing TDs have warned of a summer of industrial unrest unless employers back down on pay disputes that are set to take centre stage.

Just as the fanfare from the official commemorations for the Easter Rising 100 years ago was fading, nearby another event was getting under way: a protest highlighting the plight of homeless people.

Politicians eager to get their teeth stuck into debates about changing society as well as ways to restore cash-starved services have tabled several motions for the new Dáil.

Newly elected women TDs gathered in Dublin to mark a historic and breakthrough general election for women.