Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed that former ISIS bride Lisa Smith is returning to Ireland this weekend and that gardai may be in a position to charge her.

Latest: Outgoing Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy has insisted he has “been compliant” with Leinster House rules about his attendance at all times.

Sinn Fein's Mark Ward has been elected to the Dail on the ninth count in the Dublin Mid West by-election, a result party leader Mary Lou McDonald said was a good day for the “working class”.

The by-election is to replace Fine Gael TD Frances Fitzgerald who was elected as an MEP in May.

The newest member of the Seanad has promised to represent farmers who want a new vision for agriculture in Ireland that is in tune with the environment and biodiversity.

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.

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.

All Fine Gael members selected to run in the next general election will gather today, adding to speculation that Leo Varadkar is preparing to go to the country.

One of the chief advisers for Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy, who played a key role in highlighting the sale of Siteserv to a firm linked to businessman Denis O’Brien, is set to run in the general election.

Senior Labour figures have ruled out expressing support for €1.36bn offer to buy Aer Lingus until after the general election.

The Taoiseach said he was "naturally, personally disappointed" by the defeat of the referendum to abolish the Seanad, as attention now turns to the need for political reform.

The No side has remained ahead throughout the afternoon in the referendum to abolish the Seanad - but with a very tight margin.

The first results of the Children's Rights Referendum have been confirmed today.

Voter turnout in the referendum on children's rights is expected to be low.

The Constituency Commission has recommended cutting the number of TDs in Leinster House by eight - from 166 to 158.

Voters in just five of the country’s 43 constituencies rejected the referendum, with strong divisions between urban and rural areas.

The fiscal treaty was backed by an overwhelming majority despite initial fears in the yes camp that the low turnout could make the result closer than expected.

THE referendum on the fiscal treaty has exposed growing divisions among groups of voters.

Ireland has backed the European Fiscal Stability Treaty with around 60% of those that turned out to vote yesterday saying Yes to the treaty.

Counting in the presidential election has been adjourned until 9am tomorrow morning.

The first of the official counts in the Presidency are being declared this evening with Michael D Higgins is now certain to be elected the ninth President of Ireland.

IT was, in the words of the Greens’ Ciarán Cuffe in 2007, akin to “a deal with the devil”.

Fine Gael's Frances Fitzgerald has been elected in Dublin Mid West after count eight.

Joanna Tuffy of Labour has been elected in Dublin Mid West.

WHEN the five Bruiser Boys of Fine Gael lined up to launch the party’s election manifesto this week, there was one thing noticeably missing from the top team.

An Irish Times poll for Cork North Central shows that Socialist Party/United Left Alliance candidate Mick Barry may take the fourth seat with 13% of the first preference vote.

WITH apologies to Deputy Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West), may I say, quite simply, this.

CIARÁN LYNCH, the rookie Labour TD for Cork South Central, may mount a surprise challenge for the position of deputy leader.

Bertie Ahern appeared to be on course for a third term as Taoiseach this afternoon.

THE Office of the Data Protection Commissioner said yesterday it had received a number of calls from people complaining they had been bombarded with text messages from election candidates.

LABOUR yesterday categorically ruled out sharing power with Sinn Féin after the election.

A protest will be staged outside Leinster House today as Sinn Féin launches its action week on health.

I AM appalled that a proposal by Transport Minister Martin Cullen to fund 100 new vehicles for Dublin Bus, at a cost of €300 million to the State, is being blocked by Tánaiste Mary Harney who is insisting that the bus market be reformed before any more public money is invested in the company.

IT is arguably the most expensive lunch in Dublin this week — €120 a head to dine with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

DRAMATIC changes in Dáil constituencies announced yesterday could militate against smaller parties and Independent candidates at the next General Election.

The Constituency Commission believes that the number of Dáil constituencies should be increased.

Fianna Fáil's John Curran topped the poll in Dublin Mid West, just ahead of Mary Harney.

With just four days’ of canvassing left before the election, all the main parties are canvassing heavily.