THE battle for the leadership of Fine Gael is on such a knife-edge that the party chairman is seeking legal advice on whether he can use a casting vote in today’s motion of confidence in Enda Kenny.

Enda Kenny was clinging to the leadership of Fine Gael tonight after most of his defunct front bench rebelled against him.

A QUARTER of the state’s entire tax take next year will go on servicing the exploding national debt, it was revealed.

THE Department of the Environment has assigned blame for prolonged pollution problems in drinking water supplies to local authorities for failing to take priority actions.

THE “fragmented” board of Fás is expected to resign next Thursday amid accusations of neglect in the oversight of excessive spending at the state training agency.

The Taoiseach did not seek an apology from RTÉ over its TV news report on nude paintings of him, he confirmed in the Dáil today.

TDs have agreed on recommendations for new laws for the Environment Minister in a bid to prevent councillors rushing through development plans ahead of elections.

SOME Connemara sheep farmers who applied for farm waste management scheme grants in 2006 didn’t get planning permission for the buildings until September or October, 2008 — less than three months before the deadline to have all construction and grant applications completed.

The former head of FÁS who walked out amid a scandal of lavish expenses run up through first class travel today claimed he did not like flying.

Fás officials can only travel executive class on airlines when absolutely necessary for business purposes under the official policy of the state employment agency, it emerged yesterday.

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley’s plan to introduce strict spending limits for candidates in next year’s local elections were boosted yesterday by cross-party support from TDs and senators.

THE Financial Regulator was yesterday urged to clamp down on irresponsible companies selling “red-hot” investment schemes and high risk bonds to consumers.

HEALTH Service Executive (HSE) bosses were awarded €1.23 million in bonus payments in 2006, yet a man could not get four hours of home help to keep his elderly mother out of a nursing home, a Dáil committee heard yesterday.

Last remaining seats in Galway West have been filled by PD candidate Noel Grealish and FF's Frank Fahy.

A Fine Gael TD is to contest his seat in Galway West after reconsidering his decision to retire before next year’s General Election, it was confirmed today.

THE Irish summer is over but a cross-party group of politicians have been given the opportunity to enjoy some sunshine for a few more days at least — in Morocco.

The Ceann Comhairle Rory O'Hanlon is leading a parliamentary delegation to the Kingdom of Morocco.

THE opposition clearly enjoyed the sight of the PDs’ inner turmoil yesterday, taking the opportunity to poke fun at both Mary Harney and Michael McDowell.

FIANNA Fáil members in Galway West could hit party headquarters where it hurts most — in the pocket — because of a row over a selection convention.

FINE GAEL will make an approach to former GAA president Sean Kelly to stand as a candidate shortly after its Árd Fheis next weekend.

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny paid tribute today to the party’s veteran TD Padraic McCormack who is to retire before the next General Election.

Fine Gael TD Padraic McCormack has announced his intention to step down at the next election.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche was asked yesterday if he would resign if he found himself in the same position as his predecessor Martin Cullen over the Monica Leech appointment.

AT a casual glance, it appeared to be the usual list from the revenue commissioners, naming and shaming the publicans, parish priests and assorted others who are conscientious objectors to paying their tax.

A NEW initiative to measure the performance of local authorities won’t even allow householders to compare charges for bin collections with other areas around the country.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Martin Cullen has rejected claims he favoured his own Waterford constituency and those of top ministers in sharing out the record €477 million funding for non-national roads announced yesterday.

South Tipperary TD Tom Hayes has been elected to replace Padraic McCormack as chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party.

Four constituencies resume counting this morning after adjourning overnight with the PD’s expected to bring their tally up to six seats.

An opinion poll in Galway west has predicted that the Progressive Democrats will lose their seat in the constituency in the upcoming general election.