If the declaration by Bertie Ahern that he was one of the few socialists in the Dáil provoked a degree of mirthful scepticism, then yesterday’s announcement that former Labour Party chairman Galway East TD Colm Keaveney had joined Fianna Fáil confirmed again that our three main parties are more or less interchangeable, centrist and conservative.

Behold the birth of Ireland’s new future force, the PDs — the Politically Desperate.

Veteran Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kitt has said he was “very surprised” that former Labour TD Colm Keaveney was joining his party and admitted that half his local party was in revolt over the decision, which he found out about from local radio.

The final Dáil vote saw 31 TDs oppose the X case legislation as numbers were swelled by left-wing deputies protesting that the new law was not liberal enough.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he personally supports proposed legislation allowing abortion in limited circumstances, which he said is “consistent with the pro-life position”.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is facing a major challenge to avoid losing some of his frontbench spokesmen over the party’s position on abortion.

Only four out of 43 former government ministers have declined to accept an allowance, saving taxpayers over €250,000, new figures reveal.

Opposition TDs have named Judge Mary Devins as one of the high-profile people who had penalty points wiped from their licences by gardaí.

Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness has thrown his hat into the ring to become the party's deputy leader.

The Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris has been asked to leave the Dail chamber after protesting over the rushing through of the new septic tank Bill.

THEY made their singing debut on the Late Late Show last month.

THE Fianna Fáil leadership is considering a total “close down” on the presidency by not allowing TDs and senators to facilitate the entry of another candidate.

Colm Keaveney has taken the last seat in Galway East, the first Labour candidate to hold a seat in that constituency.

Three of four seats in Galway East have been decided following the eighth count just concluded.

The new leader of Fianna Fáil will be voted in today in a secret ballot. Seventy-two TDs will vote after the re-admission of Jimmy Devins last night.

The four contenders for the leadership of Fianna Fáil will put their cases for support today.

MICHEÁL MARTIN was first out of the blocks after the Fianna Fáil leadership became vacant — announcing his candidacy for the position and then watching as a steady stream of TDs declared support for him.

AN Taoiseach Brian Cowen was among the TDs who met with artists, arts workers and their supporters yesterday in anational day of action, staged by the National Campaign for the Arts.

I USED to be an inveterate funeral goer – several per week. I hadn’t been to one for the past two years until the unexpected death of newspaper man and former schoolmate, Alan Ruddock.

The Taoiseach is dropping seven TDs from the junior ministerial ranks, it was confirmed this afternoon, as the new line-up of 15 Ministers of State appeared for an official photocall at Leinster House.

NATURALLY-OCCURRING radon gas, which kills 200 people each year, is so high in parts of south Cork and Cobh that public meetings are planned for next month to highlight the hazard.

AS the roles of 20 Ministers of State come under more scrutiny, one of their rank faces a hectic 500km itinerary to Limerick next Monday when his schedule will include attending the blessing of a ladder.

RUGBY star Paul O’Connell is a safe pair of hands on land or sea and yesterday the Munster and Ireland kingpin was presented with an Irish Water Safety award for his brave rescue of a stricken surfer.

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has urged a threefold increase in landfill levies to persuade householders to reduce the amount of rubbish they throw out.

THE heroes of 14 dramatic water rescues have been honoured at the Irish Water Safety national awards.

A 10-year-old girl who saved her four-year-old brother from drowning today insisted she would do it again in a heartbeat.

ALMOST one-in-five of Government TDs who voted for massive education cutbacks this week are serving or former teachers.

WATER charges for householders are inevitable as the country struggles to balance future supply and demand as well as complying with EU regulations.

FIRE safety experts have demonstrated the devastating consequences of throwing water on a blazing chip-pan fire.

FROM whale-watching to historical re-enactments and from nighttime bat walks to lectures in stately homes, an impressive 1,000 events will take place across the country for Heritage Week, which will see a large number of historic buildings throw open their doors to the public, many for the first time.

National Heritage Week begins today, with a variety of celebrations around the country.

MORE than 5,200 council houses and flats are lying empty as Ireland’s homeless population continues to spiral, it emerged last night.

TRIBUTES were yesterday paid to the Waterford toddler who drowned at a family barbecue on Saturday.

BRIAN COWEN promoted five newcomers to junior ministerial posts last night as opposition parties accused him of indulging in “jobs for the boys” at taxpayers’ expense.

FEARS dumped hospital files may contain details of hepatitis C cases were raised last night as the Dáil held an emergency debate on the medical records scandal exposed by the Irish Examiner.

A THIRD of the country’s TDs are double-jobbing, earning incomes from occupations other than their salaries as public representatives.

The Government today pledged almost €2m towards clearing deadly landmines from three war-torn countries in Africa and central Asia.

The Government today funded an initiative to help more women get involved in politics in developing countries.

THREE primary school pupils who proved all that’s gold does not necessarily glitter have won the top prize in a national competition aimed at encouraging children to understand global inequality.

CORK is living up to its reputation as Ireland’s top fair trade county as a string of local towns enjoy a packed calendar of events to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 2008.

The Government wants more recruits for its international disaster response unit.

A new public information centre on Ireland’s overseas aid programme was today opened in Dublin by the Taoiseach.

The challenges facing farming communities in rural Tanzania will be seen first hand by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today met political leaders in Tanzania and pledged €170m in direct aid for the country up to 2010.