President Michael D Higgins was repeatedly attacked for his “extravagant” lifestyle and Learjet trips amid claims that he “could not lie straight in bed” over spending during tonight's high-profile presidential debate.

Joan Freeman says she is sorry her daughter had to come forward to address the Presidential candidate's links to the Iona Institute.

The mock Presidential election and a student council ballot were run together, by second-year pupils at the school.

He lugs his sense of injustice around like a piece of election literature, writes Michael Clifford.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

Businessman Seán Gallagher insists that the race to become President is not yet over even though Michael D Higgins appears to be assured of victory.

"You do desperate things when you believe in something so strongly."

Joan Freeman laughs at the notion that her husband Pat mightn’t fancy the idea of an ex-boyfriend giving her a loan, writes Catherine Shanahan.

Our first love is special.

Four men and two women are in the mix for next month’s presidential election. Rebecca Black looks at their lives and careers as they embark on their election campaigns Michael D Higgins.

President Michael D Higgins and his main rival for the Áras, Sean Gallagher, are set to miss the opening debate in the race for the presidency.

Journalist Gemma O’Doherty has failed to secure the required number of county councils to contest the presidential race.

Journalist Gemma O’Doherty’s chances of becoming an official candidate in the presidential election race have dwindled dramatically after another council voted not to nominate anyone to contest next month’s vote.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has denied Seán Gallagher is a “proxy candidate” for the party, claiming the label is “ridiculous” — despite ongoing support from grassroots members.

President Michael D Higgins is expected to make a statement outlining his campaign intentions when his nomination papers for the race for the park are submitted later this month.

Pieta House founder Joan Freeman believes the country is ready for a different type of presidency.

The presidential race opened up last night with the decision by Cork City Council to endorse Joan Freeman as their preferred candidate.

Latest: Businessman and Presidential hopeful Gavin Duffy has expressed his delight at securing the nomination of Meath Co Council to contest this year's Presidential election.

Would-be presidential candidate Kevin Sharkey has said he was called the N-word just six weeks ago and made a plea to be nominated as “Ireland’s first black president” to send out a message to racists.

Michael D Higgins must reimburse taxpayers for using publicly funded services, including cars, offices, or staff at Áras an Uachtaráin during his campaign for re-election, the State’s ethics watchdog has declared.

Foreign donations will be banned and individual contributions to candidates limited to €1,000 under draft guidelines for the presidential election.

Good morning. I would like to take the opportunity of this column to announce that I will not be running for the office of the presidency.

The presidential election race will only be fairly run if the media asks the tough questions of all candidates, including Michael D Higgins, writes businessman and presidential election candidate

Mental health campaigners have said the latest critical report on the state of services should act as a wake-up call to government.

Fine Gael has formally agreed to back Michael D Higgins for a second term as president and closed the door on its party councillors supporting a rival for Áras an Uachtaráin.

Fine Gael are expected tonight to consider allowing party councillors back a non-party candidate for the presidential election, a move that will likely help Independents get nominated.

Potential presidential election candidate Gerard Craughwell has risked undermining his campaign by claiming the highest office in the country is a “meet and greet job” that has no impact on the general public.

Fiachra Ó Cionnaith breaks down the potential list of candidates for the Presidential race.

Independents are moving closer to securing the required numbers to get a candidate into the field for a potential presidential race to challenge Michael D Higgins.

President Michael D Higgins has sharply denied he timed his announcement to seek a second term in order to block other candidates from challenging him.

Health bosses have been accused of “abusing” children with mental health issues by neglecting their needs.

Legislation making it illegal for social media companies to use data from children under the age of 16 should be considered, according to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.

Handcuffs are only used on young offenders held in the Oberstown child detention facility in extreme circumstances, its director has insisted.

A Seanad report laying bare the underfunded state of children’s mental health services has been welcomed by support groups who said its recommendations must be implemented.

The founder of Pieta House claims child psychiatry services in Ireland are in the worst possible condition imaginable.

And all because a few good men and women wanted to do the impossible for a worthy cause, writes Fergus Finlay.

Senators are seeking an end to children with mental health issues being treated alongside adults in State institutions. 

Don’t let the scenic Kerry backdrop fool you on Damian O’Callaghan’s debut feature, says Ellie O’Byrne.

A national taskforce needs to be set up to look at the prescribing of barbiturates as they continue to be used as the most common type of intentional overdose, a conference on suicidology was told.

Super junior minister Finian McGrath has said he is “delighted” with Enda Kenny’s promise to “love him to bits” politically in order to ensure that the Government lasts.

The Government’s chief whip has admitted there is “mild irritation” among Fine Gael back-benchers over the party’s Seanad appointments deal with Fianna Fáil.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has relinquished three of his Seanad nominees to Fianna Fáil as part of a special deal with Micheál Martin.

Helen O’Callaghan meets the founder of a charity that has helped many people with suicidal thoughts and hears about the early morning walk where 120,000 people give their support