The major insurance companies’ refusal to pay legitimate payouts to businesses affected by Covid-19 has been branded as “deeply cynical” and “not acceptable”.

Rural Independent TDs have met with Fianna Fáil this morning to discuss priorities for potentially entering government.

With no sign of progress on Government formation, the initiative is being seized by the 19 independents elected to the new Dáil.

Minister of State for Disability issues, Finian McGrath has described the motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health Simon Harris as a “political stunt”.

“I am hopeful that any self respecting politician will support this motion."

In 2020, Eamon Ryan will be Tánaiste and the general election result will be so close to 50:50 that the two main political parties will end up with 50 seats each. Those are my predictions for 2020.

The Government is being urged to be more pro-active in its efforts to resolve the stand-off between farmers and retailers over the price of beef.

Angry farmers have this evening said they will not end their protest until they secure a meeting with Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.

Independent TD Noel Grealish has been accused of “disgraceful racism” after suggesting money being sent from Ireland by Nigerian migrants could be the proceeds of crime or fraud.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged Rural Independent TD Noel Grealish to "withdraw" or clarify his claims that African asylum seekers are in reality economic migrants coming to Ireland to "sponge" off taxpayers, amid growing calls for him to resign.

Politicians have clocked up more than €9m in expenses, claiming back everything from coffee to Irish language books to meals they hosted.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has rejected the Taoiseach’s claim that the Dáil debate during which Leo Varadkar compared him to a sinning priest was “bitter and “personal”.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has apologised for and withdrawn comments he made yesterday when he compared Michéal Martin to priests sinning behind altars.

Being the son or daughter of a politician can get you elected, but may be an unfair point of comparison once you are in office, says Political Correspondent Elaine Loughlin.

Communications Minister Richard Bruton has refused to say how much money a private firm will have to invest in the rollout of broadband despite pressure from opposition parties.

A pro-life Senator claims Ireland has a healthcare establishment that 'almost seems to want to hustle' women towards abortion.

Transport Minister Shane Ross has lashed out at Government and opposition critics of his hard-line drink-driving laws, insisting he will ensure the law is implemented fully despite the “extraordinary opposition in some quarters”.

Your lunchtime bulletin.

Just one of the proposed 180 amendments to the proposed abortion legislation was accepted after a marathon debate.

The former CervicalCheck boss forced out at the height of the scandal is set to break her five-month silence next week.

Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has admitted he did doze off at Croke Park, but insisted it was only for a couple of minutes.

Over €7.7m has been contributed to the court poor box over the past five years.

Transport Minister Shane Ross has accused rural TDs who tried to block a drink-driving bill of needlessly risking the lives of their own constituents after it emerged two in every three road deaths this year have occurred in rural areas.

“It is a sad day for rural Ireland,” boomed a defiant Danny Healy Rae.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has had to deny that the Government is “ideologically blind” and “simply unwilling” to address the escalating housing and homeless crisis.

TDs who opposed repealing the Eighth Amendment will press for a ‘disability amendment’ to be added to forthcoming legislation to stop access to termination as soon as such conditions are diagnosed.