Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin has warned that any party refusing to talk to his and others to form a government will be "punished" by voters if they force a second election on the country.

The Fine Gael candidate posted a video this morning of the smashed window in his Douglas office.

The late Noel Whelan, a skilful political commentator and Dáil number cruncher, once remarked that the analysis of election counts inevitably moves quickly, often glossing over the importance of early seat wins — irrespective of how dramatic they can be for parties.

Two activists are working to make voter turnout in Cork the highest in the country through a citizen-run project which demystifies our voting system and helps people get on the voter register.

As he steps out of his car on the rooftop parking at Irish Examiner headquarters, with dusk falling, Leo Varadkar stops to observe the landscape of Cork City.

A minister for City Regions is required by the incoming Government to drive a progressive urban agenda the Cork Chamber has said in their election manifesto.

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald is confident the party will defend all three seats it currently holds across Cork City and county in the upcoming general election.

The northside of Cork City has been neglected by its recent political representatives with one Government TD not even bothering to show up for work, said Labour’s general election candidate for Cork North Central.

There aren’t many constituencies facing as much of a shake-up as Cork North-Central.

Kenneth O'Flynn made the announcement just hours after Fianna Fáil omitted him from their completed ticket in Cork North-Central.

The party said on Sunday night that its selection convention for the next General Election in the Cork North Central constituency will take place on Saturday, 18th January.

Double-jobbing former Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy has broken his silence on criticism from Fine Gael over claiming expenses in the Dáil while also working in Brussels.

Law reform to allow former TDs be investigated after controversy

Micheál Martin has criticised the Taoiseach over his handling of the case involving Dara Murphy and his Dáil attendance record.

Dara Murphy will be entitled to over €500,000 in taxpayer-funded termination and pension payments following his resignation as a TD.

Senator Colm Burke, who was second with first preferences in the constituency byelection, told the Irish Examiner the scandal over Mr Murphy’s Dáil absence “hurt” his chances at winning a seat.

The poor turnout in last week’s by-elections might, with a Christmas-party dash of wishful thinking, be explained by an approaching general election and the by-elections’ relevance in the face of the ongoing supply and confidence arrangement between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

The most disappointing aspect has been the response of Leo Varadkar to this whole affair.

It was a good day at the office for Fianna Fáil, according to party leader Micheál Martin, and it was hard to disagree.

With business exceedingly slow at polling stations yesterday, it is clear the four by-elections have not captured the public’s imagination.

Polls will stay open until 10pm this evening in the votes to replace the four TDs elected to the European Parliament in May.

Voting centres opened at 7am and will stay open until 10pm this evening.

Next Friday, four constituencies vote on who might replace Dáil deputies elected to Europe.

It is all eyes on Fianna Fáil in Cork North-Central where the party is scrambling to continue its presence in the wake of Billy Kelleher’s departure to Europe.

The role of Cork city and county in the fight for Irish independence should be marked with a State commemoration next year, according to Senator Colm Burke, who is to put pressure on the Taoiseach to hold a special event on Leeside next year.

The Housing Minister has defended the government’s Rebuilding Ireland plan and insists that a large state-owned site in Cork, which has lain vacant for years, is being considered for housing.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has ruled out calling a snap pre-Christmas general election warning it would "not be in the country's interests", despite a number of Fine Gael ministers insisting he should go to the polls now.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has ruled out calling a pre-Christmas snap general election despite a number of Fine Gael ministers insisting he should go to the polls now.

Former minister and Labour TD Kathleen Lynch is quitting politics and will not contest the Cork North Central by-election or general election, saying Labour must pass on the torch to survive.

Richard Bruton appeared to be wondering why on earth he should get involved in RTÉ’s survival, writes Alison O'Connor

The Government has warned protesting beef farmers the future of their industry is “hanging in the balance”, insisting they will cause “irreversible damage” to their families and livelihoods if they refuse to end their stand-off with the State.

Addressing his party colleagues in Cork the Taoiseach said May would be the best time for the country to go to the polls.

Four by-elections to fill Dáil seats left empty as a result of the European elections could take place on the same day in a "Super Friday" style election day as soon as the first half of November.

Not since the days of Big Tom and the Mainliners Showband tours has the country been traversed as extensively and in rapid-speed.

Councillor Padraig O’Sullivan has emerged as the victor at a Fianna Fáil selection convention to represent the party in the seat left vacant by Billy Kelleher TD in Cork North Central.

The transparency and accountability the new structure promised back in 2005 never materialised. Now the HSE is being reinvented again, writes Catherine Shanahan

Labour and the Social Democrats are targeting as many as 23 seats in the next general election — making either party a potential coalition kingmaker.

The leadership issue has been put on the back burner before the general election but unless there is a positive result, the knives will be out for Brendan Howlin, writes Political Correspondent

Election fever is cranking up, with the Government setting in train plans to have ballot papers ready to go in the event of a snap general election.

Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher has thanked the people of Cork North Central and said it was nice to leave the Dáil "on your own terms”.

The poster child for the dangers of vulture funds has become a new hope for social housing, writes Joe Leogue.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's power to call four Dáil by-elections is likely to be taken from him, under rules which allow the Opposition have a say.

The first shots have been fired in the political battle for the Dáil seat of MEP-elect Billy Kelleher.

Fianna Fáil has hit back at Fine Gael for trying to claim Billy Kelleher's seat before it has even been vacated.