Fine Gael’s claims that the abolition of the Seanad will save €20m per year were cast in serious doubt last night after the Houses of the Oireachtas wrote to the Referendum Commission warning that the €20m figure related to costs and “may not fully translate into savings”.

An internet initiative is putting the tradition of storytelling back on the map, writes Richard Fitzpatrick

EDUCATION Minister Noel Dempsey has been criticised by teachers' unions for starting another consultation process on the education system instead of acting on past reviews.

Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan says an estimated billion euro will be allocated to the country's roads in the next budget.

The Minister for Transport is to fill up financial shortfalls in the roads programme and is expected to increase funding in the December Budget.