Ireland played a significant role in the Thailand cave rescue mission making three major contributions from supplying a diver, equipment, and the pump.

A grandfather who became involved in a violent incident in a pet shop after his son got into a dispute about a parking space has been jailed for 18 months.

On waste collection, our choice as a country is to sit in our own squalor or change. Every time we put out the bin, we are doing the equivalent of peeing in the public swimming pool.

Never in the history of humanity has prosperity and waste danced together in such lockstep, writes Terry Prone

TOM Keane is a man to whom anybody who gives a fig about the country should listen, says Michael Clifford.

€500m a year less is being spent on universities and colleges, though there are more students, and nobody wants to foot the bill, says Niall Murray

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Noel Dempsey looks at the options open in terms of forming a government and how Fianna Fáil can live up to its election promises

Proposals put forward for the strengthening of the Dáil should be pursued, argues Gerard Howlin

One of just eight constituencies to remain unchanged by the latest Constituency Commission, Meath West remains a three-seater.

Senior Fine Gael figures have noted with interest an apparent softening by Fianna Fáil on whether it would support a minority government or form a so-called grand coalition with its long-standing rival after the election.

DAWN French, great comic and Vicar of Dibley, was asked in a newspaper interview at the weekend what she thought was more important, ambition or talent, writes Gerard Howlin.

Lobbyists are proving slow to embrace new disclosure obligations, with just eight individuals and organisations submitting details of their lobbying activities to date.

Former minister Noel Dempsey, who was part of the Fianna Fáil-led coalition during the economic crash, has said he is “haunted” by the decisions his government took — and warned Ireland is failing to learn from the mistakes of the past.

Plans to impose water charges twice as costly as today’s rates were drawn up by the Fianna Fáil-led government months before the troika bailout, despite repeated claims that the system was only created to comply with EU demands.

Tánaiste Joan Burton has admitted to tensions within the Coalition as she said it was too early for Labour and Fine Gael to consider a pact at the general election.

“This Government gives with one hand and it takes back twice as much with the other. And families who can least afford the extra bills are getting hammered.

Michael Lowry’s ‘fine girl you are’ note to Enda Kenny in reference to Valerie O’Reilly shows that political patronage is as central to governing as it ever was, writes Michael Clifford

Independent TD Michael Lowry has confirmed he lobbied the previous government to get a former adviser onto a state board and that he has no regrets pressing the Coalition for her reappointment.

Joe Walsh, the former agriculture minister who was acclaimed as being equally at home in the parish hall or in the gilded buildings of Brussels, was laid to rest yesterday.

Joe Walsh, the former Agriculture Minister who was acclaimed as being equally at home in the parish hall or in the gilded buildings of Brussells, was laid to rest today.

The State is facing the embarrassment of spending millions on a postcode system that is going nowhere, writes Joe Leogue

Alan Kelly is proposing forcing developers to hand over 10% of new developments for social and affordable housing. He better be prepared for very stiff resistance, writes Michael Clifford

Creating waste to boost profits of a multi-national’s incinerator in Dublin Bay is a nightmare scenario, says Victoria White

Armagh bowlers had a double in the Mick Barry Cup when Thomas Mackle beat Christy Mullins and Bryan O’Reilly beat Trevor O’Meara at Ballincurrig on Sunday.

Following last weekend’s All-Ireland series in Armagh the 13 premier titles of 2014 have been decided with Ulster ending the series on seven wins to Munster’s six.

Plastic bag usage has been practically wiped out as a direct result of the decade-old levy on the environmental hazard.

AT LEAST it was fitting in Holy Week that we asked the question: Will Labour walk on water?

The Constitutional Convention has made a number of recommendations on political reform including enhancing the position of the Ceann Comhairle to give it more status.

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL was in Dublin last week, flogging a book, revisiting the past, and standing by an old pal.

Former presidents, ministers, and judicial office holders cost the taxpayer €15.6m in pension and severance payments last year, according to figures released yesterday.

The problem of schools having more children seeking enrolment than it has staff or space to teach is a strong sign of the value that Irish families place on good education.

David Shannon won the Munster Junior C final with an incredible 13 shot performance against Shane Lotty at Jagoes Mills on Monday.

Martin Coppinger is officially the 2013 All-Ireland senior champion as Eddie Carr has withdrawn from next weekend’s rescheduled final because his injury has not cleared up.

Martin Coppinger and Eddie Carr will face each other in the rescheduled All-Ireland senior final at Béal na mBláth on Saturday, August 24.

Ex-ministers and TDs who “abandoned” Fianna Fáil in the last election and chose not to contest seats, will not be allowed to run again under a motion passed at the ard fheis.