The chair of the Road Safety Authority has called for greater resources for the Garda Traffic Corps.

The Cabinet has approved the appointment of the former deputy leader of the Progressive Democrats, Liz O'Donnell, as chairperson of the Road Safety Authority.

The outgoing Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is almost certain to be facing into another five years in the job following Thursday's election.

Bertie Ahern will make history on June 14 when the Dáil reconvenes if he is, as expected, elected Taoiseach for a third term.

Tánaiste Michael McDowell tonight conceded he had lost his seat in the General Election.

Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell has said his days as a public representative are over.

Outgoing PD deputy Liz O'Donnell has been eliminated in Dublin South where Seamus Brennan and Tom Kitt have both been returned for FF.

Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins is the first high profile candidate to lose out in this year's election.

As counting continued around the country this afternoon, signs emerged that a number of high-profile candidates appear unlikely to make it to the 30th Dáil.

Fianna Fáil candidates are dominating the early election tallies in constituencies across the country.

The Progressive Democrats will plummet to just two Dáil seats - their lowest ever tally, an election expert predicted today.

The Progressive Democrats say they are open to joining an alternative coalition, if they don't get enough votes with Fianna Fáil.

The Progressive Democrats' Deputy Leader Liz O'Donnell is calling for young people to ensure they're on the electoral register.

Opposition parties were today accused of making "facile criticisms" of Progressive Democrats plans to reform stamp duty.

Tánaiste Michael McDowell has today rejected opposition claims that he has reached a secret deal with the Taoiseach to keep the current Government in power.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is to be formally confirmed as the new leader of the Progressive Democrats later today.

The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is to be nominated for the position of Progressive Democrats party leader by Minister of State Tom Parlon and that nomination is to be seconded by the party's chief whip Liz O'Donnell.

It is looking increasingly likely that Justice Minister Michael McDowell will win the leadership of the Progressive Democrat Party unopposed.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is emerging as the favourite to replace Mary Harney as leader of the Progressive Democrats.

Two members of the Progressive Democrats parliamentary party have said they will be backing Minister for Justice Michael McDowell as the new leader of the party.

Progressive Democrats TD Tim O'Malley has said he will be backing Minister for Justice Michael McDowell as the new leader of the party.

In response to the announced resignation of the PD leader Mary Harney, FG Councillor Lucinda Creighton described the party as heading towards the next elections "as a rudderless ship, set to run aground on the many rocks that will impede their course".

Progressive Democrats TD Liz O'Donnell is reportedly set to challenge Minister for Justice Michael McDowell for the leadership of the party.

THERE could be a hike in taxes if Fine Gael and Labour get into Government, warned Tánaiste Mary Harney.

The Magill magazine awards were announced last night and Education Minister Mary Hanafin was named politician of the year.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has walked out on reporters who questioned him about his defence of the church's relationship with the State.

Progressive Democrat chief whip Liz O'Donnell has launched a scathing attack on the Catholic Church during a Dáil debate on the clerical sex abuse scandal in Ferns.

Former overseas development minister Liz O'Donnell today expressed concern about the Government reaching its overseas aid commitments for the next seven years.

The Progressive Democrats said today that childcare is high on their agenda between now and the next General Election.

HERE’S a sort of plain man’s guide to the politics of the Budget.

The citizenship referendum could still go either way, writes Political Reporter Michael O’Farrell.

FOR once in my life I find myself in general agreement with Liz O'Donnell when she condemns Sinn Féin bashing.

Gerry Adams’s ‘no activities’ line is back to haunt him, says Political Editor Harry McGee.

IF the delegates making their way to the Progressive Democrats’ annual conference in Killarney were the equivalent of shareholders gathering for the annual general meeting of a publicly quoted company, there is one question which this analyst would be suggesting they ask those at the top table: will the PDs field any candidates in the upcoming European elections?

A MAJORITY of Dáil deputies have called on the United Nations to review its controversial role in the disputed takeover of West Papua.

FIANNA Fáil’s decision to opt for the old boys network in the European elections, by its failure to nominate any female candidates, was condemned as a big mistake yesterday.

JUST back for 12 days after a 14 week break, the Government yesterday ratified another week off for Dáil Éireann.

By Pat Brosnan

The Progressive Democrats have called on the Irish and British Governments to begin implementing aspects of their recent joint declaration on the North.

THE Taoiseach’s top officials have been holding ongoing secret meetings with Independent TDs who previously propped up the Government.

WHEN the smoke clears in the row over college fees Education Minister Noel Dempsey is expected to shift his ground, abandon the controversial proposal to make the rich pay for third-level education and opt instead for a loan scheme under which students would learn now and pay later.

THE upbeat mood among the Progressive Democrats at the weekend was even better than the euphoria of a winning All-Ireland team — but the PDs had gone one step further and clinched the double.

Sinn Féin is hitting back at comments made by the Progressive Democrats during last night's Dáil debate on neutrality.

The Progressive Democrats' Liz O'Donnell has defended comments she made yesterday which appeared to support the stance of the Ulster Unionist Party regarding Sinn Fein.