Campaigning in the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad has kicked off in earnest, with parties on both sides accusing the other of misrepresenting the facts in support of their stance.

Sometimes perceived as the maverick minister who is too honest for her own good, Joan Burton is viewed as having leadership ambitions by the party faithful.

THE European Court of Justice is to issue a ruling later this week that could impact on the controversial proposals to designate Six Nations and Heineken Cup rugby matches involving Irish teams to be shown on free-to-air TV.

UP to 100,000 jobs could be created over the next decade by investing in eco-friendly projects, the Greens have claimed.

The Labour Party has said 30,000 construction jobs could be created with a National Retrofit Scheme.

LABOUR pledged to boost Ireland’s economic recovery with plans for a privately funded €2 billion high-quality broadband system.

NEARLY half of women voters suffer “gender disenfranchisement” because they lack a female TD representing their Dáil constituency, it was claimed last night.

GENDER has nothing to do with the recent decisions by two senior Labour women to resign from politics, according to party leader, Eamon Gilmore.

THE Labour Party was hit with another political blow last night as a second high-profile female TD in just a number of weeks announced she would not be seeking re-election.

Labour's Mary Upton is quitting politics.

Another Labour Party TD looks set to call time on politics as Dublin South Central Deputy Mary Upton is expected to make a formal announcement this evening.

Efforts are continuing to boost the number of female representatives in the Dáil.

LABOUR leader Eamon Gilmore has played tribute to party TD Liz McManus, who has announced she will not contest the next general election.

Labour TD Liz McManus is to quit the Dáil at the next election, she revealed today.

Labour TD Liz McManus has confirmed she is quitting politics at the next General Election.

There is mounting speculation that the Labour TD Liz McManus will today announce she is quitting politics at the next General Election.

BORD Gáis and Airtricity will be increasing their electricity prices in line with the ESB when the public service obligation (PSO) levy is introduced in October.

CUSTOMERS are facing hikes of 4%-5% in their electricity bills as the Energy Regulator has given its approval to the placing of a €157 million levy on all electricity users.

AT least 2,000 people converged on city centre Dublin, demanding cutbacks to disability services be reversed and the state stops treating those using the services as “second class citizens”.

Labour's spokesperson on Communications Liz McManus is calling on the Government to implement the National Retrofit Programme for home insulation as fears mount that electricity prices are set to rise in the autumn.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen led political tributes to Gerry Ryan, saying he will be hugely missed.

Pressure intensified on Ireland’s European Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn last night after a second minister signalled she should give up her Dáil and ministerial pensions.

THE toast at the annual Labour party conference in Galway was ‘Eamon Gilmore for Taoiseach’. This ambition has a semblance of credibility in the context of the party leaders’ opinion poll approval ratings.

INDEPENDENT radio station owners have called on the Government to remove the ban on political advertising on radio and TV.

MODERN technology such as internet mapping, Google maps and iPhones should be part and parcel of the proposed postcode system, an Oireachtas Committee believes.

TV and radio stations will have to pay a €5.7 million levy to fund the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland this year in a move that broadcasters have warned could cost jobs in the sector.

LONG after the country’s coal mines closed, the men who chipped away at the seams struggle for breath, with the industry’s filthy legacy lying on their lungs.

Thousands of jobs will be created after a wave energy company signed a deal with a leading multinational firm, it was confirmed today.

Travellers were facing more misery today after severe ice left roads in many areas virtually impassable and the continuing cold snap also affected air schedules.

THE carbon levy on petrol, diesel and home heating fuels will be steadily increased in the years ahead, putting greater pressure on people’s pockets.

WATER charges look more likely, after the Government’s high-level group on a “green economy” recommended introducing the household rates on a pay per use basis for households.

The Labour Party is warning that energy will be a major financial crisis in ten years' time.

LATE-NIGHT quiz viewers risk being ripped off by phone-in shows because the technology driving them falls between regulatory cracks, a Dáil Committee has heard.

A PROPOSED international climate change treaty is likely to cost Ireland €180 million a year as richer nations agree to fund poorer ones to help them reduce their carbon emissions.

OBLIGATIONS to add biofuels to transport fuel products will make it worthwhile for farmers to switch to green fuel crops, according to Energy Minister Eamon Ryan.

OUR Environment Minister John Gormley yesterday launched a website to help us reduce our carbon emissions. The site is to encourage all of us to commit to a 10% cut in carbon emissions by next year.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen would be directly responsible for cutting Ireland’s greenhouse gases, under draft laws published today.

RTÉ’s so-called stars may no longer shine as brightly in the public eye, but at least the salaries they earn are still blinding.

THE Green Party is coming under increased pressure to secure a wide range of concessions from Fianna Fáil as negotiations on the revised Programme for Government (PfG) enter the final two days.

THE proposed new postcode system would be a vital tool for helping to make the delivery of health services more effective, according to the Department of Health.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan came under fire today for pressing ahead with the introduction of a €15m postcode plan when public spending was being cut.

Opposition TDs today demanded improved investment in the telecoms sector if a proposed takeover of Eircom goes ahead.

GARDAÍ suspect that romantic jealousy may have sparked a tragic murder-suicide among of group of young people in Co Wicklow.

THERE was good news and bad news for consumers as the ESB said it may raise charges next year, while two vintners organisations were found guilty of contempt of court in announcing a one-year drinks price freeze effective from last December.