There must be a general election in the air…..as TDs’ attendance for votes in the Dáil has dropped significantly in recent months.

Another Labour TD has decided not to contest the general election, and has claimed that democracy has been degraded in Ireland.

Labour effectively has about 10 critical constituencies to identify where it must fight for its life, writes Gerard Howlin

Today, at lunchtime, I witnessed an elderly couple being knocked down on a footpath by a cyclist on College Road in Cork City. The woman was thrown head-long onto the roadway by the impact and would certainly have been injured or even killed but for the absence of oncoming traffic.

If Aer Lingus is sold to IAG, Ireland could end up owning a version of it again in future, if New Zealand’s experience is any guide, writes Kyran FitzGerald.

Government TDs opposed to the sale of Aer Lingus are set to meet unions this week amid growing speculation that the Cabinet is to sign off on the drawn-out €1.3bn deal by the middle of April.

Grass-roots members have overwhelmingly rejected plans to sell the State’s “jewel in the crown”, Aer Lingus, unless IAG agrees to an independent valuation of the firm alongside further regional connectivity and jobs guarantees.

Senior Labour figures have ruled out expressing support for €1.36bn offer to buy Aer Lingus until after the general election.

Large numbers of Labour supporters who abstained from voting in the local elections could be persuaded to back the party in the next general election, a former deputy leader has suggested.

More than three decades after winning her first Hennessy literary prize, writer Deirdre Madden has been inducted into the Hennessy Literary Awards Hall of Fame.

Dublin City Council is to take ownership of the Priory Hall complex and refurbish it.

It may be the of Cork sporting teams but visitors came from as far as the US and New Zealand to show off their ginger roots at the fourth Redhead Convention.

It is reported that children have received letters from Revenue demanding payment of the property tax.

Almost 100 people have taken their own lives on the country’s railway lines since 2000.

Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube chiefs face being called to give evidence before Oireachtas members over cyberbullying and to outline actions the firms are taking to protect users.

A Government TD has backed reports that a greenfield site in North Dublin is now one of the favoured locations for the new National Children's Hospital.

Wexford’s supreme accuracy proved the difference as they emerged with a comfortable 14-point victory over Laois yesterday afternoon.

RIVERS had been hushed and the countryside burnt brown by the three-week heatwave that showed no sign of easing its fiery grip.

Tommy Broughan has been a thorn in the leadership’s side for some time and few in Labour will lament his loss, writes Political Editor, Paul O’Brien

RESIDENTS of an apartment complex who could be asked to vacate their homes because of safety concerns are considering launching a legal class action, it emerged yesterday.

CASTLELYONS’ fairytale season at minor hurling level continues as they head into tomorrow’s Premier 1 final against favourites Blackrock.

TENSIONS between the Coalition partners over the reform of wage agreements are likely to continue after Labour warned that measures must be taken to protect lower-paid workers.

With all bar four of the 43 constituencies in the General Election finished counting, the country’s political scene has undergone a sea change.

Former Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin has failed to retain her seat in Dun Laoghaire. Richard Boyd Barrett won the seat, bringing the haul of seats for Independents and others to 17.

The election of Fine Gael's Mary Mitchell O'Connor in Dun Laoghaire brings to 141 the total number of seats filled so far (from a total of 166).

Labour’s Séan Kenny has claimed the final seat in Dublin North East.

Terence Flanagan of Fine Gael has been elected in the first count in Dublin North East with 12,332 votes.

A receiver has been appointed to the Priory Hall Apartment complex in North Dublin.

FAVOURITES Cork will have Tom Kenny back in action at midfield, alongside Cathal Naughton, for Sunday’s GAA Munster hurling final against Waterford in Thurles.

A ROW has broken out among Dublin councillors over a proposal to name the Dublin Port Tunnel in honour of Charles Haughey.

DUHALLOW take on Carbery tonight in the Cork Senior Hurling Championship in Coachford (7.30pm).

BEET growers have been invited by Irish Sugar to become involved in a profit monitor programme.

The GAA National Congress has rejected a motion to allow Croke Park to be used for sports other than Gaelic games.