“Who is Gerard Craughwell?” was the question Shane Ross asked me outside Government Buildings shortly after 6pm yesterday.

A Labour-Sinn Féin economic showdown is looming after Tánaiste Joan Burton claimed average families face a 7% income tax hike if they vote for the opposition party.

Bill Clinton held a meeting with the Taoiseach in Dublin this evening.

JANUARY

The Kill Room

DOMHNALL Gleeson holds up a pint of Guinness and takes a sip.

I DON’T really care whether Micheál Martin or Michael McGrath leads Fianna Fáil — but I do care why.

Ruby Wax says the solution to her depression is all in the mind. Rachel Borrill reports.

Rihanna is on vacation in Ireland without Chris Brown.

Jackie Collins’ love of celebrity sex and gossip has made her rich. After 29 novels, and aged 75, she’s still writing, says Sue Leonard

Some Sunday in early Jul 2014, the World Cup will be held aloft, but it won’t be the only seismic event in sport that day — Bill O’Herlihy will be vacating his anchorman’s chair for good.

At 59, William Boyd has done it all, but a thirst for knowledge and a curious disposition keeps him writing, as an entertained Sue Leonard discovers

After a Dublin social welfare office ‘banned’ visitors wearing PJs, Jonathan deBurca Butler took to the streets in his.

Fed up with forced family frolics and catty couples on Christmas Day? Pack your bags, says Pól Ó Conghaile Christmas is the ideal time for solo travellers to get away

The Drop

The Decision

THE only bit of hot air you’ll find in Patrick Guilbaud’s kitchen comes from the extractor fans.

A major protest is taking place in Dublin city centre now against the EU/IMF austerity programme.

A major protest is taking place in Dublin later today against the EU-IMF austerity programme.

AS ONE of my Facebook friends aptly put it, now that Queen Elizabeth and President Barack Obama have left our shores we’re back to the French and the Germans dropping in to tell us how to run the economy.

Dublin: The key issue of how to deal with employees spending time on social networks was the subject under discussion at an employment seminar hosted by Dublin law firm Eversheds O’Donnell Sweeney in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin, this week.

In Safe Hands

The Government is tonight on the brink of collapse as the Green Party walked out blaming a complete breakdown in trust, patience and communications in coalition partners Fianna Fáil.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen insisted he had no regrets after dramatically resigning today as leader of Fianna Fáil.

The full text of Taoiseach Brian Cowen's announcement at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin this afternoon:

Brian Cowen spoke to John Gormley, leader of the Greens, before making today's announcement that he was to resign as leader of Fianna Fáil, but did not consult with any Cabinet colleagues before making his decision to step down.

There is increasing speculation that Brian Cowen will stand down as Fianna Fáil leader this afternoon but remain on as Taoiseach until the General Election.

ACCORDING to the last census there are 4,239,838 of us living in this republic.

Up to 50 people are staging a protest outside Government Buildings to oppose the four-year austerity plan.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen tonight told his country there was no need to be ashamed as he opened its books to the International Monetary Fund.

A 100-YEAR-OLD great-grandfather said his family is worth all the money in the world as he was crowned Grandparent of the Year.

A 100-year-old great-grandfather said today his family is worth all the money in the world as he was crowned Grandparent of the Year.

Carol Coffey

Dublin: One of the world’s leading experts on reputation risk management has told Ireland’s top business leaders that reputation risk is a “business killer”.

TOMORROW’S vote on the Lisbon Treaty should not be driven by people’s feelings towards the Government, according to the Labour Party.

OMINOUSLY, a faint smell of gas wafted near the entrance to the Merrion Hotel as Brian Cowen arrived.

ON October 30 businessman Philip Lynch, whose investment vehicle One51 holds stakes in NTR and the car ferries group ICG, called for the urgent re-capitalisation of the banks, which have been dangerously undermined by the global credit crunch.

An early painting by one of Ireland’s most celebrated artists goes on public display for the first time today.

Some of the most famous names in Irish art will go on show in Dublin today.

An international society conman jailed in Ireland after going on a spending spree with a stolen credit card and wanted in three countries is to face an extradition hearing within weeks, the High Court heard today.

IT’S said that the best way of getting a story out is to tell a politician a secret.

A large collection of Irish art works is due to go on show in Dublin today ahead of its sale at auction in London next month.