Tánaiste Simon Coveney has denied misleading people over possible checks on goods near the border, following criticisms from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

The Roman Catholic bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan has described the Taoiseach’s comments in the Dáil on Wednesday when he compared Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to a secretly sinning priest, as “very hurtful.”

The Taoiseach has hit out at the “absence of any concern or care” from CervicalCheck to women kept in the dark over smear screening audits.

Any decision to lift the ban on gay people becoming blood donors will be taken on scientific grounds, as it is not an equality issue, Health Minister Leo Varadkar has said.

The Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has apologised for saying anything that contradicts the Government's position on childcare costs and personal insolvency.