A survey that canvasses both business and consumers shows Irish confidence in the economic recovery has improved, but employers are still less upbeat than before the UK voted last summer to leave the EU.

Self-described “underdog” Simon Coveney received a significant boost to his flagging campaign, as it has emerged he is the preferred choice of voters to lead Fine Gael over Leo Varadkar.

The reality of poverty for rural families is often hidden from view, according to an Oireachtas member.

Up to 49% of voters said they support the abolition of the Seanad, according to a new opinion poll.

The volume of residential property sales jumped by 14%, on a year-on-year basis, during the first quarter of the year, according to a new study.

The number of TDs in the Dáil is set to be cut by eight, under new recommendations to be published next month.

FIANNA FÁIL has succeeded in taking two of the three seats in the former Connacht-Ulster constituency several times in the past and they hope to do so again.

THERE is one candidate in the European Parliament election in North-West that everyone is watching — Dana Rosemary Scallon.

Political Correspondent Fionnán Sheahan reports on the healthy competition between two European candidates.

IF Packie Bonner runs for Fianna Fáil in the European Elections, as is rumoured, it will be the political stroke of the year. And further proof that ‘location, location and location’ is as important in politics as it is in property.

The Constituency Commission is recommending changes to electoral constituencies for next year's European elections.

The main story in Connacht-Ulster seems to be the success of Independent candidates at the expense of Fine Gael.

The last full day of campaigning on the referendum on the Nice Treaty gets underway as the two sides attempt to win over any undecided voters ahead of tomorrow's vote.

The Independent MEP for the Connacht-Ulster region, Dana Rosemary Scallon, says that the Irish peoples are being pushed into voting to approve the Nice Treaty.

There is fresh hope this morning that there may soon be a breakthrough in the teachers' pay dispute.