DÁIL PRIVILEGE ROW:

Politicians have described the ruling allowing all media to report events in the Dáil without restrictions as a good day for democracy, but have criticised Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton for their silence on the issue.

The comments were made after yesterday’s High Court decision allowing Independent TD Catherine Murphy’s Dáil revelations — that businessman Denis O’Brien received interest rate deals from IBRC saving him “upwards of €500m” — to be reported on by the media.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the ruling is a “very welcome and important decision” that is “a good day for parliamentary democracy and freedom of the press”.