Government formation talks between the major parties will continue despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The Cork Mail Centre closed in the early hours of tomorrow morning as the last shift finished at the Little Island facility.

The Government will launch the first of its planned auctions for new renewable energy generating licences next month.

Fine Gael has dismissed as “very arrogant” Fianna Fáil claims that only Micheál Martin can be taoiseach in the next government.

Next weekend, EU leaders meet in Brussels for what, in the lexicon of diplomacy, is expected to be a four-shirter — a streetwise description of a meeting unlikely to conclude quickly. Whether discussions to form a government here become as bitter remains to be seen.

With almost 100 of the 160 seats filled in the 33rd Dáil, Fianna Fáil looks set to emerge as the biggest party with more than 41 seats.

Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin has warned that any party refusing to talk to his and others to form a government will be "punished" by voters if they force a second election on the country.

Last week’s survey showing that almost two thirds of public service workers might vote for parties they had not supported before if they were promised pay increases above inflation was as revealing as it was depressing.

Fine Gael have promised that a third of money raised from carbon taxes will be ringfenced for insulating old homes.

We take a sideways look at the election.

Today Mr Varadkar was asked whether he still maintains a view first expressed in the Leader’s Debate on Wednesday that he would lead Fine Gael into coalition with Fianna Fáil.

“Fine Gael believes a parent should never have to choose between the health of their child and the cost of care," Simon Harris said.

A reduction in the economic growth forecast due to Brexit has been halved just weeks ahead of Britain exiting the European Union.

Cyberbullying, eating disorders, depression and suicide are some of the toxic behaviours and dangerous thought patterns often spread online that new draft legislation aims to protect children from.

There will be no limit on the amount of compensation which can be awarded to women and families impacted by cervical cancer screening errors, the Taoiseach has said.

IFA has warned that proposals to reduce methane emissions from agriculture will cut farm output and will cost jobs.

Rochard Bruton said: “It is my ambition to have the Climate Bill enacted before an election."

The Government is “undermining” its own renewable energy targets ahead of a general election in which climate change will influence voters’ polling decisions, one of the country’s main renewable energy representative groups has claimed.

The Climate Change Advisory Council’s advice to the Government to treat methane differently from other greenhouse gases has been opposed by Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.

In 2020, Eamon Ryan will be Tánaiste and the general election result will be so close to 50:50 that the two main political parties will end up with 50 seats each. Those are my predictions for 2020.

From broadband and Brexit to swings and printers, TDs kept up the tradition of irritating voters with bizarre behaviour, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell