Seanad nominations for inside candidates closed yesterday with a number of failed election candidates given a second chance at public office by their parties.

Ruth Coppinger, the former Solidarity TD who campaigned to abolish the Seanad, is now seeking to be elected there.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are set to add numbers to the Seanad election race from candidates who lost their Dáil seats.

Some of the country's highest-profile women TDs who lost their seat in the General Election have revealed the depth of the explicit and hurtful messages sent to them in recent weeks.

It's been a “change” election in so many ways, but one certainty we cling to is that we’re stuck in the same old territory when it comes to the election of women to the Dáil.

Count centres across the country have reopened this morning as Day 2 of the count gets underway.

Sinn Féin found itself in hot water yesterday, while Fianna Fáil left reporters yawning, writes David Davin-Power.

Fianna Fáil have pledged to dedicate the state's finances to improving public services even more-if put in power after the general election.

It would be a little unfair to describe Micheál Martin’s disposition as cocky at Fianna Fáil’s campaign launch event. But he certainly seemed composed. Confident even.

Fianna Fáil’s first electoral event of the campaign showed a relaxed Mr Martin in composed form ahead of the three-week sprint.

Independent TD and former minister Denis Naughten said he will only support the Government on a case-by-case basis, should a vote of confidence be called.

Fianna Fáil’s finance spokesman has had to watch on through nine budgets, but this year might be his first to preside over one, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

WITH politicians not set to return from their Christmas break until January 15, it’s easy to see how this has been dubbed the “do-nothing Dáil”, writes Elaine Loughlin.

Questions around Dara Murphy prompted a heated spat between the two leaders, with Mr Varadkar calling on Mr Martin to deal with his TDs involved in the 'Vote-Gate' controversy.

The complaint, lodged to the Oireachtas Committee on Members' Interests in the name of Louth TD Fergus O'Dowd, has been lodged following weekend media reports

It has emerged that Ms Chambers, who was cleared in an initial voting controversy, also voted on behalf of her party colleague Timmy Dooley in the Dáil in January.

Micheal Martin will not reinstate two TDs he removed from the Fianna Fáil front bench after the vote-gate controversy.

Lisa Chambers could now receive a caution after the decision by the Committee on Members Interests - but only after the move is itself approved by the Dáil.

The Dáil's ethics committee has found it can't investigate the attendance of former TD Dara Murphy.