Opposition TDs who have raised concerns around vaccinations have defended their actions.

The Public Accounts Committee wants immediate clarity over any possible conflict of interest over firm PwC which not only advised health chiefs on the children's hospital, but also completed a review of the project.

Update 9.30am The cost of Michael D Higgins’ presidential term is set to be examined by an Oireachtas committee next week - despite being warned doing so may be "unconstitutional".

The Taoiseach has accused TDs of “belittling the Holocaust” after a controversial Government advertising campaign was compared to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

The Central Bank has been asked to intervene in the Garda college financial scandal by opening a fresh examination into the St Raphael’s Garda credit union.

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has welcomed the long-awaited deal completed by the HSE and drug manufacturer Vertex to make a wonder CF drug available.

The €1.64m paid by a leading special needs charity to 14 senior managers, without the knowledge of the HSE, were outstanding pension liabilities and other contractual obligations.

Fianna Fáil is dismissing Fine Gael threats of another election after government formation talks stalled, and is instead hinting the party may support a Dáil vote opposing water charges.

The Minister for Health James Reilly is under pressure to reveal the terms of reference for a national review of maternity services.

A split in the Coalition over how Enda Kenny packed the Oireachtas inquiry into the banking collapse with Government members has dealt a fresh blow to the credibility of the probe.

The Government and junior minister Kathleen Lynch were accused of prioritising “political expediency” over the needs of mental health patients as they were lambasted in the Seanad for shutting acute psychiatric beds in counties Galway and Cork.

AS the days count down to a historic vote on changing our Constitution, most voters will be unaware that if senators are let go, so to speak, they are entitled to bumper pay offs.

FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin has named former finance minister Brian Lenihan as his deputy in a move that could make it harder for the party to disassociate itself from previous failures.

The new Fianna Fáil frontbench

Mary Hanafin has been named as deputy leader of Fianna Fáil.

Fianna Fáil Senator Marc McSharry has admitted that the implications concerning expenses claimed by Ivor Callely are potentially "very serious".

THE duo responsible for securing Ireland’s entry to the World Rally Championship, Sean O’Connor and Ronan Morgan are to stand down from the promotion and management of Rally Ireland at the end of this month.

Critical press coverage of a recent Oireachtas Committee trip to South America was “despicable” it was claimed today.

FIANNA FÁIL backbenchers are intensifying their pressure on Health Minister Micheál Martin to give local politicians a place on the new health agencies and bodies to be launched tomorrow.