Irish Examiner journalist Michael Clifford has scooped two awards, picking up the gong for Story of the Year and Journalist of the Year at the Tonight With Vincent Browne Political Awards 2014.

It was billed as High Noon in the upper house.

Labour senators will be warned that if they vote down budget cuts this week then a delay in legislation will result in €124m in lost savings for the Government.

The Taoiseach said he felt like he was in “the chamber of the condemned” as he got a frosty reception during his first visit to the Seanad which he plans to abolish.

The quality of the entry for tomorrow’s Carrick on Suir based Willie Loughman Forest Rally, the second round of the Valvoline Forest National Rally Championship bodes well for the series that earlier this week wrapped up a television deal.

FINANCE Minister Michael Noonan has been urged to reform the political allowances system after it emerged 14 Independent TDs will each receive an extra €41,000 this year on top of their salaries, and won’t have to pay tax on the money or explain how it was spent.