Former Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue has announced his intention to contest the next General Election in South Kerry.

Gardaí in Cork are to prepare a file for the Coroner's Court following the deaths of two men from suspected drugs overdoses after attending a party on Christmas Eve.

Twenty-four business leaders have been shortlisted for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award 2011.

Former Minister John O'Donoghue has admitted that he handled the expenses controversy badly.

Fianna Fáil's John O'Donoghue was philosophical after failing to secure a seat in Kerry South, saying he had "fought a good fight for Fianna Fáil".

Fine Gael's Brendan Griffin has been elected in Kerry South after count five.

Taoiseach-in-waiting Enda Kenny is expected to decide later how to approach the formation of a new Government.

Final tallies from South Kerry show Fine Gael's Brendan Griffin topping the poll with 8,680 first preferences, or 19.9% of the vote.

Nominations for the leadership of Fianna Fail will close at lunchtime on Monday with an election by secret ballot to be held at 2pm on Wednesday, party chairman John Browne has confirmed.

Green Party leader John Gormley is facing a showdown with a Government colleague by promising architects that recently enacted legislation giving status to the profession will not be changed.

Two teenaged brothers are among four young people who lost their lives when a car collided with a tree in Co Kerry this morning.

The row over the designation of top rugby matches as 'Free to Air' TV events will be raised today at the Dáil Committee on Arts, Sport and Tourism.

Fine Gael has managed to retain a 10-point lead over Fianna Fáil in the latest opinion poll.

The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has unanimously endorsed the new Programme for Government negotiated with the Green Party last week.

Seamus Kirk was elected as the new Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil by a margin of 87 votes to 51, and promised to play his part in parliamentary reform.

Louth Fianna Fáil TD Seamus Kirk has replaced John O'Donoghue as Ceann Comhairle, after winning the vote by 87 votes to 51.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has officially nominated Louth Fianna Fáil TD Seamus Kirk to replace John O'Donoghue as Ceann Comhairle.

John O'Donoghue has officially stepped down as Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil this afternoon, following a robust and protracted speech in defence of his record.

John O'Donoghue is set to stand down as Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil today as a result of the controversy surrounding his expenses claims in recent years.

John O'Donoghue is reportedly planning to seek re-election in his Kerry South constituency at the next general election.

The Taoiseach has accused opposition TDs of "dancing on the grave" of Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has reiterated that he is fully in favour of transparency in the way government ministers and TDs deal with their expenses.

Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter has expressed concern that the Ceann Comhairle may be "making an each-way bet" by deciding not to resign until next week.

Public focus will sharpen on Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue today after he was forced to announce he will resign over mounting disclosures about lavish expenses.

Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue has announced that he is to step down from his position.

Sinn Féin Caoimhghín Ó'Caoláin has called on John O’Donoghue to resign as Ceann Comhairle, saying that his position has become untenable.

More details about expenses incurred by John O'Donoghue have been disclosed this morning as the Ceann Comhairle faces mounting pressure over his continuation in the job.

The normal cut-and-thrust of Irish politics is set to resume today when the Dáil convenes for the first time since the passing of the Lisbon Treaty referendum.

Green Party leader John Gormley says the time has come for a complete review of how Oireachtas members spend public money overseas.

The Ceann Comhairle, John O'Donoghue, is set to face more pressure this week to consider his position following the latest revelations about his expenses claims.

John O'Donoghue has released details of all his expenses incurred since he was elected Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil.

The Fine Gael leader says he will ask his party to raise new revelations about John O'Donoghue's expenses with the Oireachtas Commission.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said the Ceann Comhairle is dealing with his own matters in his own way.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has called on Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue to make a fulsome apology for the expenses he claimed while he was Minister for Sport and Tourism.

Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue has finally broken his silence in relation to the controversial expenses he claimed while he was Minister for Sport and Tourism.

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is defending the expenses run up by government ministers while attending overseas events.

Up to 8,000 people are expected to visit Leinster House today and tomorrow for the second annual Oireachtas open day.

A row has erupted in the Dáil before the Budget speech has even begun.

The Ceann Comhairle has prevented Opposition parties in the Dáil from raising questions this morning about the RTÉ decision to apologise to the Taoiseach over a news report on Tuesday night.

Expenses for TDs and Senators are to be cut by 10% under plans agreed last night.

TDs today saluted the pioneers of the first Dáil parliament and vowed to emulate their courage in tackling current economic challenges facing the country.

A new postage stamp to be launched today marks the 150th anniversary of the first cable message from Europe to America.

Hundreds of mourners have attended the removal of former Fianna Fáil minister Seamus Brennan.

A number of serving cabinet ministers reportedly made representations to the Department of Justice on behalf of convicted criminals in 2006 and 2007.