Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has severely criticised Independent TD Joan Collins' foul-mouth outburst in the Dáil, branding it as a “vacuous and empty” stunt.

Former Irish MEPs have been paid nearly €1.8m in pension payments since the beginning of 2017.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has apologised for and withdrawn comments he made yesterday when he compared Michéal Martin to priests sinning behind altars.

The fire will continue to be monitored overnight with a number of 'hot-spots' still under observation.

A Dáil deputy held up a thong in the chamber to highlight the maltreatment of rape victims during adversarial trials.

The Dáil has failed to elect a Leas-Cheann Comhairle today.

The first test of politicians’ claimed new-found interest in reform will take place this morning when five long-standing TDs fight it out to become the next ceann comhairle of the Dáil.

A former MEP and junior minister has been selected to run in the general election for Fianna Fáil.

Officials in Castlebar have begun rechecking votes in the Midlands Northwest European constituency.

Matt Carthy is the third MEP elected for the Midlands North-West constituency

The counting of votes is to resume at 9am in the Midlands Northwest constituency – where four European Parliament candidates will be elected.

Fianna Fáil's director of elections for Europe says the party is set to claim at least two seats.

A new opinion poll has shown Sinn Féin on course to make a major breakthrough in the European elections, winning its first ever seats in the Republic outside of Dublin.

The European Parliament has today approved draft rules to help fishermen to comply with new Common Fisheries Policy requirements.

A Fianna Fáil MEP is welcoming efforts to support the establishment of an Irish-language version of the official European Parliament website.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg today voted to support the nomination of Kevin Cardiff to the European Court of Auditors.

Campaigning continues today among candidates in the Donegal South West by-election.

The Government is coming under fire for appointing the Social Protection Minister Eamon O'Cuiv as Fianna Fáil's campaign manager in the Donegal South West by-election.

Fine Gael is going to the High Court today to put pressure on the Government to call the Waterford and Dublin by-elections.

Fianna Fáil MEP Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher has claimed Tánaiste Mary Coughlan was "not in the loop" when he was asked yesterday by senior Fianna Fáil figures to stand in this month's Donegal South West by-election.

Fianna Fáil will choose their candidate for the Donegal South West by-election this Sunday evening.

North West Fianna Fáil MEP Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher, has confirmed this morning that he will not be a candidate in the Donegal South West by-election.

The Green Party has said the Donegal South West by-election should be held immediately and remaining by-elections in the spring.

Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty has been granted leave to bring a judicial review challenging the Government's delay in holding a by-election Donegal South-West.

Sinn Féin is today mounting a legal challenge to the Government's refusal to hold the Donegal South-West by-election.

Fianna Fáil MEP for the North West Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher is still not sure about giving up his ministerial pension.

Irish MEPs have raised serious concerns over beef talks with EU trade chief today in Strasbourg.

The Government has been accused of clinging to power and running scared after voting down a bid to hold a by-election in Waterford.

MEP Jim Higgins has clarified his position as regards his Ministerial and Dáil pension.

Another Fianna Fáil TD is to give his Ministerial pension to charity, it was announced today.

A Fine Gael motion on removing pension entitlements for former Ministers is expected to be defeated in the Dáil later.

The Environment Minister is urging the five remaining TDs and MEPs still holding out on returning their pensions to "do the right thing".

Fine Gael has selected a 36-year-old county councillor to contest the Donegal South West by-election.

Labour will formally select its candidate for the Donegal South West by-election later.

Ireland's 12 MEPs are due to take their seats in the new European Parliament today.

The country's two new TDs have taken up their seats in the Dáil.

Libertas founder Declan Ganley has conceded defeat in his attempt to win a European Parliament seat and has vowed to bow out of politics.

Libertas candidate for Ireland North West Declan Ganley has this evening conceded defeat.

A recheck of votes in the North West European Parliament constituency is set to get underway later this morning at the request of Libertas candidate Declan Ganley.

FIANNA Fáil is at real risk of losing its European Parliament seat in Dublin in what would be a devastating personal blow to Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Fianna Fáil's Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher has confirmed his intention to contest the upcoming European elections in the North West constituency.

Fianna Fáil's Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher is expected to declare his candidacy for the European elections before nominations close at midday today.

Fianna Fáil sources have indicated that Donegal TD, and former MEP, Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher will be asked to contest the forthcoming European elections as the party's second candidate in the North-West constituency.

The junior minister in charge of health promotion has welcomed figures showing that fewer young people are drinking and smoking than before.