TDs and senators had to refund almost €10,000 in expenses this year after an audit found they could not provide supporting evidence to justify claiming such allowances.

The controversial afternoon car ban on Cork's main street has been suspended until August 9.

As Taoiseach Leo Varadkar eases into his first Christmas as leader, he must be counting his lucky stars that we were spared an unnecessary election, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.