The Sinn Féin surge looks set to claim a major scalp in Kerry in the form of Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae, according to the latest TG4/Ipsos MRBI poll.

Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae is facing further delay over his plans to convert a former pub in Tralee into apartments in the latest chapter in a long-running planning row with some local residents in the north Kerry town.

Two sons of Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae have gone on trial charged, along with a third man, of assaulting a man in Kenmare two years ago.

Postmasters are concerned about the Government plan to tender the contract for the collection of TV Licence fees.

Michael Healy Rae hit out at anonymous commenters online targetting former taoiseach Brian Cowen, who remains in a very serious condition in hospital.

Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae has heaped praise on John Delaney, saying the only thing the former FAI CEO is guilty of is "trying to help an association in the best way you saw fit at that time".

Jackie Healy Rae, the son of Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae, has been charged with assaulting a 30-year-old English visitor on a Christmas break in Kenmare.

Michael Healy Rae made a typically colourful contribution to a Dáil debate last Wednesday, writes Michael Clifford.

According to Michael Healy Rae.

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

Doctors who are opposed to abortion will not be forced to dispense the abortion pill, according to Health Minister Simon Harris.

Opposition TDs have complained they are being treated “like bold school children outside the principal’s office” in having to queue to get speaking rights in the Dáil.

A protest is to take place on at noon today in Killarney near a former guesthouse where some 55 men seeking international protection are to be housed.

Thankfully we speak fluent Kerry.

An independent TD has said Postmasters are being left with no choice but to shut post offices.

Rural Independent TDs have called for the Government to cancel plans to build a new national children’s hospital in Dublin city centre, warning the location will fail to help children and teenagers in genuine need.

A star-studded line-up.

There are calls for more community based Gardaí in rural areas.

About 20% of the country’s political representatives are landlords, according to the most recent registry of members interests.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has been re-elected as Taoiseach by the most slender of margins, gaining just one vote more than the minimum needed to regain power. Mr Kenny won the fourth and final nomination vote by 59 votes to 49 after 11th-hour talks with Independents.

With the vote for Taoiseach called for today, attention has already swung as to who will occupy the 15 cabinet seats and what ministries they will occupy.

Enda Kenny is close to securing the support of up to 10 Independent TDs after rural deputies held a vote on whether they would back him for taoiseach.

The Labour Party looks set to abstain from the vote on Enda Kenny on Thursday, Daniel McConnell, Political Editor with the Irish Examiner has learned.

Does Micheál Martin not see the irony in all this big talk of Dáil reform, all the while shirking what would be the biggest reform of all — a coalition with Fine Gael, writes Alison O’Connor

A minority government can be formed and can work provided the government party is cohesive and is short five or six seats.

I wish to draw your attention to the sarcastic attitude displayed by your columnist, Alison O’Connor towards the election of Mr. Michael and Mr. Danny Healy Rae as TD’s for Kerry on RTE on the weekend of the election.

Make no mistake — despite having 15 candidates to choose from due to the merger of two former Kerry constituencies into one, three of the five seats on offer in this sprawling area are already effectively decided.

Despite the controversy, the question over whether the coalition could turn to Independent TD Michael Lowry if it falls short of an overall majority could, in fact, help beef up Government support, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

The Taoiseach has been questioned over a reappointment to the board of the ESB six months in advance of the start date. Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White this week appointed Noreen Wright to the board of ESB for a second term of office, despite the fact that this term will not begin until June 28 — long after the general election.

Ah here, stick to the football lads.

An early election would be a big risk for Fine Gael, but an even bigger one for Labour, writes Gerard Howlin

Gardaí are appealing for information following a highly organised and daring raid on a power equipment shop in the centre of a mid-Kerry village in the early hours of Sunday.

The Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has said it ordered overnight surveillance clearance sweeps on its Dublin offices because it feared “exceptionally informed” comments aired in public had been leaked from its headquarters.