Solidarity-People Before Profit look set to have a disappointing election and possibly only return two or three of its five outgoing TDs.

A change of mindset among Garda top brass is key if the force is to become a more community-focussed police service, better protecting areas ravaged by drugs and crime, write Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe

TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Turlough Duffy raised an eyebrow ever so slightly at his teacher’s suggestion that he be on the debating team opposing the motion: “We need a change of government.”

The number of referrals to the Child and Family Agency relating to alleged abuse have hit a quarterly high.

There is now a meeting of minds between Trotskyist TD Paul Murphy and a once neo-Thatcherite Leo Varadkar.

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

More than 127,000 people are on waiting lists for basic health services such as physiotherapy and eye tests, with more than 18,000 left waiting for over a year.

There was a time when securing a former county GAA player or other sports personality was a major coup for any political party.

New data from Tusla shows a rise of more than 6,000 referrals to the Child and Family Agency last year, with a corresponding rise in the number of cases awaiting social worker allocation, including 20% of cases deemed “high priority”.

Tusla, the child and family agency, said it will address serious shortcomings highlighted by an inspection report into its fostering services in parts of Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow, which included a shortage of social workers and foster carers.

Dozens of examples of bad practice flagged by probe of expenses paid to community healthcare staff.

Gardai confirmed last night that following reports of burglary and theft of vehicles, units were deployed in the Tallaght District resulting in nine arrests to date.

The HSE has paid over €540m to GP practices and out of hour services in fees and allowances last year, for treating medical card patients and providing services for other State health schemes.

The first of his family to enter third-level education, the socially liberal Frank Clarke is set to become the country’s next chief justice.

The road of the newly-acquitted Paul Murphy from his privileged past to the criminal courts has included its fair share of ups and downs.

Five years ago, Kevin Shortall and his wife Tracy didn’t know if their daughter would be alive to make her Communion.

Some foster carers in parts of the country with the busiest caseloads have still not been properly assessed and others have not been vetted for years, a report reveals.

Gardaí have arrested a young male in relation to the fatal stabbing of a teenager in Dublin on Thursday afternoon.

IF YOU live in Cork, Limerick, or Galway and think the Dublin Bus strike doesn’t affect you; fear not, it will, writes Gerard Howlin. 

Health Minister Simon Harris has committed to publishing a 10-year cross-party health service plan by the end of the year in a bid to address chronic problems in the system.

Cabinet is today expected to sign off on the establishment of a new cross-party committee to look at the long-term future of the health system.

James Reilly, the former children’s minister, is tipped to be among the Taoiseach’s nominees to the Seanad.

The five TDs in Dublin South West are calling for the release of Ibrahim Halawa.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Enda Kenny has been asked by Fine Gael ministers to begin talks with Fianna Fáil on any government options after he returns from his St Patrick’s Day visit to the US.

Fine Gael officials will decide on whether to run under-pressure European Affairs Minister Dara Murphy in the general election at a grass-roots vote in his constituency tonight.

Who is Left, let alone ‘hard-Left’? Labour claims to be Left, while decrying the hard-Left, writes Gerard Howlin

Gardaí have yet to decide on how to proceed with charges against up to 25 water charge protesters, including TD Paul Murphy, three weeks after they got directions from the DPP to prosecute.

The trials against Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy and two party councillors, with Tánaiste Joan Burton as star witness, will not take place before the next election, the Irish Examiner has established.

Gardaí have been given the green light to bring serious charges against three politicians, including Paul Murphy TD, in connection with the water charges protest involving Tánaiste Joan Burton last November.

The newly-formed Independent Alliance which expects to have 20 candidates in place for the general election yesterday unveiled new hopefuls who have joined its ranks.