The club’s new hurling wall was also damaged by the flooding.

Being the son or daughter of a politician can get you elected, but may be an unfair point of comparison once you are in office, says Political Correspondent Elaine Loughlin.

Work on a vital flood-prevention scheme has been delayed again and construction on it may not start for another year.

Minister of state Finian McGrath’s climbdown on Sunday came after demands from Fine Gael ministers that he withdraw criticism of gardaí.

Independent Alliance TDs often operate as though they are not part of the Government, even though they are at the heart of it, writes Special Correspondent Michael Clifford.

The Government has agreed to impose lighter sentences for men convicted of incest because of a need to introduce equal sentences for women convicted of the same crime.

Doctors who are opposed to abortion will not be forced to dispense the abortion pill, according to Health Minister Simon Harris.

Galway East TD Sean Canney has today resigned as the government’s assistant chief whip, a post which came with a €15,000 salary.

The Government announcement of 50 new flood relief schemes at a cost of €257m has been welcomed in many quarters, but concerns are being raised that insurance companies are still refusing cover in areas in which flood defences have already been constructed.

Sean Canney has “a decision to make” over whether he will stay with the Independent Alliance in Government, said the Taoiseach.

Independent Alliance TD Sean Canney is working to hammer out a separate deal with the Taoiseach to remain in Government as an Independent, it is understood.

Independent Alliance ministers are rallying councillors and candidates for upcoming elections, promising them an inside track to government business and “privileged access” to information.

Serial sex offenders will receive longer jail terms under a new law being put forward by Government.

Political Reporter

One of the world’s leading flood defence experts has urged opposing sides in a controversial €140m Cork flood defence scheme to find common ground and work together.

While the recommendations to repeal the Eighth Amendment and to allow unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy will be put to politicians next week, it remains unclear if they will back the plans.

The Government recouped just €3.2m from the sale of more than 40 Garda stations, a total described as “derisory”.

Fáilte Ireland and the OPW have teamed up to give everyone an opportunity to watch the winter Solstice effect within the passage tomb at Newgrange.

City-centre views of the River Lee will be improved by proposed flood defences in Cork and some elements will be redesigned to preserve historic features, says the Office of Public Works.

No doubt the Alliance are damaged but the gang of five have shown far more to justify their time in Government, writes Daniel McConnell.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has been accused of trying to “gerrymander” local boundaries to suit Fine Gael at the expense of Independents, amid plans to reduce the number of seats per constituency.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy became embroiled in “very heated exchanges” with members of the Independent Alliance last week over proposed changes to boundaries of local council constituencies.

If Storm Ophelia proves anything it is that once-in-a-lifetime extreme weathers events are no longer that.

Five members of the Cabinet recount their experience of the process of Budget 2018, writes  Political Editor Daniel McConnell

The construction of a tidal barrier to protect Cork city from floods has been ruled out again on cost grounds.

Government partners the Independent Alliance are refusing to back Leo Varadkar’s first budget, after a row over supports for the vulnerable and gambling taxes going on mental health services among other areas.

Leo Varadkar took his first bold step onto the pristine furrow — time stopped, breaths were held, and ploughing matriarch Anna May McHugh put her hands to her face in shock.

The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, will stress the critical importance of free trade for both nations, when he meets with Britain’s prime minister, Theresa May, next week.

The Office of Public Works Minister has promised to remove any red tape preventing those hit by floods in getting assistance.

The Independent Alliance was highly “relieved” when an “arrogant, tribal”, and “tetchy” Enda Kenny departed as taoiseach in June, super junior minister Finian McGrath has said, writesDaniel McConnell.

The Independent Alliance was highly “relieved” when an “arrogant, tribal”, and “tetchy” Enda Kenny departed as taoiseach in June, super junior minister Finian McGrath has said.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has called for an independent review of proposed flood relief walls in Cork City claiming they will damage the character of the entire city.

Fresh calls are being made for mandatory minimum sentencing for homicide offences after the Government took the surprise step of announcing such proposals for repeat sex offenders.

The path has been cleared for the new Fine Gael leader, Leo Varadkar, to become Taoiseach.

They were all singing for their supper, but now the meals are coming who will be left hungry? Fiachra Ó Cionnaith assesses the likely winners and losers in incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s new cabinet.

THE ability to travel overseas on generally recognised and accepted documents is a benefit which seems to have been with us forever. It has been the engine of international tourism and all the attendant industries and businesses which depend upon it and grow from its fruits.

Public debt is still a major challenge and will remain so into the future, Government has warned.

Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran listens with a ferocious level of concentration. He has some memory. Because he cares. Because he works, writes Terry Prone.

For the most part, this ‘new’ politics isn’t working and, contrary to popular belief, it is not Ross and the other independents who have been found wanting at the Cabinet table, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell

An angry Enda Kenny lashed out at media questions over his pending departure at a frosty press conference in Montreal last night.

A blistering row among Independent ministers at Cabinet over plans to relocate families living in flood plains has delayed approval of the scheme by several weeks, the Irish Examiner has learned.

Julie Sadlier, a solicitor who has been representing families facing repossession since the economic crash a decade ago, outlines how new legislation could help keep thousands of families in their homes in Ireland

Education, childcare, and the social needs of families would be taken into account by judges in repossession cases under a new bill.

A series of ministers have condemned US president Donald Trump’s “Muslim travel ban” amid cabinet calls for pre-clearance officials in Ireland to ignore the controversial policy.