LABOUR affairs minister Frank Fahey was yesterday reprimanded by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) for using departmental facilities for election purposes.

Six candidates are within two percentage points of each other for three European Parliament seats in the Ireland North West constituency.

The counting of votes in the local and European elections is continuing around the country.

FIANNA FÁIL was embroiled in another controversy last night involving accusations of abuse of ministerial office for party political gain in the forthcoming elections.

EUROPE AFFAIRS Minister Dick Roche yesterday called for an overhaul of the EU-expenses system after an investigation claimed Irish MEPs were abusing lucrative allowances.

IN BRITAIN every autumn, they have a party conference season. In late September and early October, just before parliament resumes, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party in turn take off to Blackpool or Bournemouth or some other seaside town for an annual jamboree of political speech-giving and socialising.

Fianna Fáil delegates are heading to Roscommon Town today to select two candidates to contest the forthcoming European elections in Ireland north and west. Frank Fahey,

Fianna Fáil says an internal opinion poll indicates that the party's current Connaught/Ulster MEP, Sean O'Neachtain, does not have enough support to win back his seat in the forthcoming European elections.

Fianna Fáil has postponed tomorrow's selection of European Parliament candidates for the North-West constituency, in a bid to manoeuvre its preferred candidates into place.

The European Commission has given the go ahead for funding to bring high speed internet services to rural regions.

A statement made by the European Commission calling for a worldwide ban on human cloning has been welcomed by Irish MEPs.

The European Parliament will vote this Thursday on the EU-Common Fisheries Policy and whether Spain should be allowed more access to Irish waters.

The Commission for Communications Regulation is to introduce flat rate internet access for the public to all parts of the country.