Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has swung into the Maria Bailey controversy by backing criticism of the TD by Business Minister Heather Humphreys about personal responsibility.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves. All 32 of you.

Fergus Finlay take some to reflect and looks forward to what could be an exciting year ... on the rugby field at least!     

Politicians accused of caring more about their Christmas break.

The Government has been warned thousands of homeless children and families are being turned into “economic refugees” because the housing crisis is forcing them to travel up to 50km for emergency accommodation every day.

Fianna Fáil are worried estate agents could be using fake bids to increase house prices.

The rural post office remains integral to society despite its unviability, writes Michael Clifford.

Latest: Labour have criticised the Government for leaving Waterford, Limerick and Drogheda out of new rent pressure zones.

The announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, that there will be no Basic Payment National Reserve in 2016 calls into question the Government’s commitment to young farmers, Macra has said.

New junior minister Sean Canney is among a dozen former county and city councillors who will receive golden handshake payments from the local authorities after securing Dáil seats in February.

A young man with a heart of gold who got addicted to drink, drugs and gambling stole a charity collection box from a fast food outlet to fund his addictions.

Morton Stadium danced a Jamaican beat last night as Yohan Blake set a new stadium record of 10.12 seconds as he continues his return to the top of the athletics tree.

Cork 0-14 Limerick 1-14: Limerick maintained their dominance over Cork at minor hurling level when they defeated the Leesiders by a goal at the Gaelic Grounds last night in the semi-final of the Munster championship.

Athletics Ireland put up a spirited challenge in the men’s distance medley relay at the Armory Invitational, going under the old world record but having to be content with second in 9:25.37 behind a dominant US outfit in 9:19.93.

Limerick 0-22 UCC 1-17: Waterford Crystal Cup SHC semi-final: Limerick ensured an early season repeat of the last two Munster SHC finals in next weekend’s Waterford Crystal Cup decider with this two point semi-final win over UCC.

Business Editor

Thousands of Irish drivers could have to wait months to find out if their insurance claims will be covered by the assets of bust provider Setanta Insurance, a Dáil committee was told yesterday.

The Oireachtas banking inquiry is expected to be informed of the optimum timeline and areas for investigation by a special team of advisers before the end of this month.

A former Youthreach worker has failed in his effort to bring a claim of unfair dismissal against the Cork Education and Training Board after an Employment Appeals Tribunal ruled his claim had been lodged too late.

Kerry 0-14 Derry 0-08

A man whose survival depends on a double lung transplant has called on the HSE to renegotiate the price of a life-prolonging drug that has been branded too expensive to use.

Mount Sion 0-16 Ballygunner 2-8

THE gravity of the overall financial situation in Waterford was starkly spelled out by the Western Board divisional chairman, Eddie Cunningham, in his address to the board’s annual GAA convention in Dungarvan last night.

DEFENDING All-Ireland junior football champions Sligo retained their provincial title in dramatic fashion in Charlestown.

CORK boss Denis Walsh placed several of the county’s upcoming talents under the microscope in Passage West yesterday and was rewarded with a thoroughly convincing victory in a senior hurling challenge against Clare.

IT didn’t get within a roar of the Celtic Tiger and, even during those heady days, a north Cork town lost its biggest industry.

LISMORE made a stunning comeback to force a draw with titleholders Ballygunner in a highly charged Waterford SHC semi-final at Dungarvan’s Fraher Field yesterday.

STRADBALLY remain in the hunt to retain their Waterford SFC title but only after a dramatic finish to Saturday’s semi-final at Dungarvan’s Fraher Field.

A SUPERB contest in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday as Limerick three-in-a-row champions Adare defied predictions and really put it up to heavy favourites Newtownshandrum in this Munster Club SHC semi-final.

AFTER all the furore surrounding the straight red card dismissal of All Star, John Mullane in De La Salle’s drawn Waterford SHC quarter final against Ballygunner, the Déise star has received the minimum four-week suspension.

WATERFORD GAA officials last night issued an apology to All Star John Mullane following a bizarre incident during a club championship game at Fraher Field on Saturday.

Tipperary 2-22 Cork 0-25 (After Extra-time)

LEGENDARY Kerry trainer Pa Fitzgerald recorded his second J.P. McManus Irish Cup win in-a-row, and his sixth in all, when last season’s Boylesport Derby runner-up, Sandy Sea, landed the €80,000 winning prize for well- known owner Patsy Byrne (Duagh and London) at a well attended and highly successful Patrickswell meeting yesterday.

MOTORISTS could be facing weeks of traffic chaos after the partial collapse of one of the country’s busiest roads.

THIS year is shaping up to be the toughest in a decade for the tourism sector as a combination of bad weather, economic gloom and poor exchange rates hit visitor numbers to our most popular resorts.

MUNSTER Council has announced the referees for the two big senior hurling championship games on June 1 and 8.

Ardmore 1-16 Roanmore 2-9

Ballina Stephenites goalkeeper John Healy will make his first start of Mayo's NFL Divison 1A campaign when they take on Monaghan on Sunday (Clontibret, throw-in 2.30pm).

Mickey Moran's Mayo chalked up win number two in NFL Division 1A thanks to a brilliant second-half performance in Castlebar.

A TEENAGE girl’s bed burst into flames in a freak house fire blamed on strong sunlight.

IRELAND’S first exclusive addiction clinic based in County Wicklow could face closure if allegations that it is operating without planning permission are proven.