With weeks to run to peak flu season, hospitals are in the grip of a system-wide crisis as the nation’s emergency departments (ED) plunge deeper into chaos.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha has said it should not take a personal visit to the emergency department for the political system to know that citizens should not be subjected to lengthy waiting times.

A Fine Gael TD has compared a hospital emergency department to a “South American” facility and described “shocking” conditions after she waited over seven hours before leaving with her child — who was not seen by a clinician.

There is no need for patients, hospitals or healthcare professionals to stockpile medicines ahead of Brexit, according to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

Hate is just emotion, however distasteful the comment, whomever the target. It should not be prosecutable, unless it becomes incitement or violence, says Margaret Hickey

HOW much is a pound of flesh worth these days? A different price to different people, obviously, depending on whose flesh is under discussion. But in the case of Maria Bailey it would appear no price is too high when it comes to the ongoing public flailing of the Fine Gael TD.

The State’s environmental watchdog has warned that Ireland is not addressing wastewater deficiencies at a “fast enough pace”. The country is facing the threat of EU fines.

Health Minister Simon Harris has steered clear of criticising the main oversight bodies involved in the new children’s hospital project for massive cost overruns - instead pointing the finger of blame at professional advisory firms.

Proposed laws to outlaw the promotion of so-called miracle cures and the spread of misinformation around treatments for cancer will be endorsed by the Government this week.

There was a time when securing a former county GAA player or other sports personality was a major coup for any political party.

The Government has been put on “notice to quit” and urged to begin “an orderly wind-down” despite Health Minister Simon Harris narrowly surviving a motion of no confidence.

The Irish Cancer Society has said it has welcomed Kate O’Connell’s proposed new law that will ban advertisements of so-called cancer “treatments” to the general public.

The question must be asked of Fianna Fáil how, after 61 years in charge of the health service, they did not leave us a single-tier public health care, writes Victoria White

The question must be asked of Fianna Fáil how, after 61 years in charge of the health service, they did not leave us a single-tier public health care, writes Victoria White

Proposals to force women to pay for abortion services, except where her life is at risk, have been dismissed by the Oireachtas Health Committee.

All Fine Gael members selected to run in the next general election will gather today, adding to speculation that Leo Varadkar is preparing to go to the country.

Ireland’s runaway rental property bubble is “unsustainable” and is making it increasingly difficult for people on salaries as high as €50,000 to find homes, the head of a State financial agency has said.

The HSE’s interim director general denies that officials are trying to delay the Scally cervical cancer tests inquiry by failing to provide searchable records, amid growing fears that the State investigation is being blocked.

Unlike Enda Kenny, John Bruton and Michael Noonan before him, Leo Varadkar is in total control of his party, writes Daniel McConnell.

Opposition leaders have vowed to help the Government pass legislation on abortion as quickly as possible.

Showing leadership on the Eighth Amendment has “not always been the easiest thing to do”, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said as he thanked opposition leaders for their support for repeal.

“Taoiseach, will you come over and speak to me?” Leo Varadkar was beckoned across the street by a woman in a pink hi-vis jacket.

The embattled outgoing chief of the health service said he doubts anyone else will want his €186,000-a-year job.

The Department of Justice has admitted that officials never examined any private email or mobile phones belonging to ministers or their advisors during its search for files linked to the disclosures tribunal.

Fine Gael is preparing to run a four- to six-week referendum campaign targeting undecided voters.

A lack of psychological and social therapies for people with mental health difficulties is partly to blame for high prescribing rates for antidepressants. That’s according to doctors addressing the Oireachtas joint health committee on foot of recent media reports on overuse of prescription drugs.

‘Undercover’ volunteer teenage girls are helping the HSE stamp out the number of ‘rogue’ operators selling sun-bed sessions to minors.

The Government will introduce a free contraception system after the referendum on the Eighth Amendment in a bid to revolutionise Ireland’s sex education and sexual health regime.

Fine Gael senator Catherine Noone’s allegations of sexism and bullying against a colleague are to be investigated by party bosses.

Struggling mortgage holders must be offered debt write-downs instead of so-called foreign vulture funds, Paschal Donohoe has been told.

The special Fine Gael meeting on abortion heard concerns that the party could be politically damaged if it gets its strategy wrong on a planned referendum later this year.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has voiced concerns about the welfare of the unborn over proposals to legalise abortions in all cases up to 12 weeks of gestation.

Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone has said it is time politicians and those in power stop avoiding the issue and accept that homelessness and child homeless rates are now a “national emergency”.

Politicians accused of caring more about their Christmas break.

Wednesday’s votes felt like a massive step forward for Irish women’s reproductive rights, writes Alison O’Connor.

The Oireachtas committee on the Eighth Amendment is set to recommend a straight repeal of article 40.3.3, its complete removal from the Constitution, and for any future abortion laws to be decided solely by the Dáil.

A pro-life campaigner who said doctors have “pressured” her and other women into having abortions has previously worked with a “rogue” crisis pregnancy agency that links abortion to mental health issues and regret.

So there’s this little oul’ wan on the beach, it being summer when the event happens. She is elderly and small, so it is perfectly fair to describe her as a little oul’ wan. 

The Fine Gael TD abused online by colleague Barry Walsh has welcomed his resignation from the party’s national executive council after a damning 48-hour public backlash.

This is a problem far bigger than Barry Walsh, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has declared that “nasty” slurs targetting women online by a senior Fine Gael figure are “not acceptable” and debate should be conducted in a responsible way.

The HSE is involved in a “constant battle” against rogue crisis pregnancy agencies, the Oireachtas committee examining the Eighth Amendment has heard.

The chairwoman of the Oireachtas committee on the Eighth Amendment says pro-life groups are refusing to attend as part of a wider strategy to undermine the referendum debate.