Tributes are being paid to former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, who has died at the age of 81.

Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds has died at the age of 81.

A cast of well known Irish characters including Des Cahill, Joe Duffy, Pat Spillane and others are called in to audition for Bill’s spot.

Former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan would have been "more than able" to punch Anglo boss David Drumm back, his aunt Mary O'Rourke has said today.

The late Maeve Binchy was the highest earning Irish author last year, according to the latest Nielsen figures.

While the announcement of the children's rights referendum has been broadly welcomed, concerns are being raised about a possible lack of clarity in the wording.

There are growing calls for a no vote in the referendum on giving the Oireachtas powers to conduct inquiries.

Veteran Fianna Fáil figurehead Mary O'Rourke has said that she is not surprised Gay Byrne decided against running for the Presidency, as the issue was "handled wrongly" by her party.

Former Fianna Fáil TD and Minister Mary O'Rourke has said she does not think Fianna Fáil should put forward a candidate to run in the presidential election.

Former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will be laid to rest on Tuesday.

Former Minister Mary O'Rourke has said the Lenihan family is in "a very bad state" at the death of her nephew Brian, who died overnight.

Brian Lenihan's family will announce funeral arrangements later, after the former Finance Minister's death overnight.

Brian Lenihan's aunt Mary O'Rourke has said he nephew Brian Lenihan, who passed away overnight, "always worked for his country and he worked for the best of Ireland".

Former Finance MInister Brian Lenihan has died at the age of 52. He had been battling pancreatic cancer since 2009 and passed away overnight.

Former Longford - Westmeath Deputy Mary O'Rourke has said she felt Brian Cowen should have stood down as Fianna Fáil leader after his infamous radio interview last September.

Mary O'Rourke, who lost her seat in Longford Westmeath yesterday, has said the Fianna Fáil party "got what it deserved".

Fianna Fáil has only managed to get 14 seats so far, but the party's Dick Roche is refusing to concede defeat in the Wicklow constituency.

Fianna Fáil's Mary O'Rourke has been eliminated in Longford/Westmeath this evening.

Fianna Fáil's Mary O'Rourke has conceded defeat in Longford-Westmeath.

Two high-profile Fianna Fáil backbenchers, Mary O'Rourke and John McGuinness, are now calling for the party-leadership issue to be revisited after yesterday's botched Cabinet reshuffle.

Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke has said the issue of her party's leadership should be revisited.

Longford Westmeath TD Mary O'Rourke is the latest Deputy to pledge support to the Taoiseach as leader of Fianna Fáil ahead of tonight's confidence motion in Brian Cowen.

The Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has said she fully supports the Taoiseach's version of his discussion with former banker Seán FitzPatrick.

A Fianna Fáil TD has said the party is far too near a General Election for a leadership heave.

The Tánaiste has said the date for the next General Election will be decided by the Taoiseach, once important legislation is passed in the Dáil.

A meeting of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party has today agreed to endorsed the leadership of Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD for the forthcoming General Election.

Rumblings of a possible leadership challenge within Fianna Fáil are being described as the "subplot" to yesterday's Budget.

The Government will publish its €15bn plan for drastic savings today as it battles economic ruin against a backdrop of political turmoil and a further downgrading of the country's credit rating.

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen is to make a public statement at Government Buildings at 7pm.

Longford/Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke has said Brian Cowen will face a more difficult time after the Budget.

A doctor accused of failing to spot Tottenham youngster Baby P's abuse days before his death is seeking to have her name removed from the medical register, a disciplinary panel has heard.

Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke has called for a general election to be held before Christmas.

Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke said today that she believes Brian Cowen will remain leader of the party.

Senator Ivor Callely has issued a statement this evening lashing out at the Fianna Fáil Committee investigating his affairs for what he said was their "lust for judgement".

There are calls for Ivor Callely to resign his position as a Senator.

Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke said today that there can be no more delays in holding a referendum on children's rights.

Longford/Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke says the party will lose the next General Election if they stay on 24% in the polls.

Former Fianna Fáil Minister Mary O'Rourke says her party intends to stay in Government, despite an opinion poll which shows a majority in favour of a General Election.

A Seanad committee has now begun investigating the expenses claimed by Senator Ivor Callely.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has said it is up to EU Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn to decide what to do about her Irish pension.

A prominent Fianna Fáil backbencher is today calling on the Health Minister to return to Ireland to address the Tallaght Hospital debacle.

A referendum to amend the constitutional rights of the child could be held by the end of the year.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan today confirmed he would undergo treatment to remove cancerous tissue in his pancreas.

Two Fianna Fáil TDs are supporting calls for an inquiry into the banking crisis.