Morning briefing: Shane Ross - Fine Gael tried to isolate Alliance TDs. Catch up on all the headlines

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

IRELAND

Transport Minister Shane Ross accused Coalition partners Fine Gael of treating him and his Independent Alliance colleagues as “an inconvenience” and trying to isolate them at Cabinet.

Micheál Martin would become the next Taoiseach if a general election were held tomorrow.

House prices nationally have risen by 34%, or more than €56,000, on average since their lowest point in 2013 — and they are set to keep rising as demand continues to far outstrip supply.

A minister has insisted the cross-party committee deciding whether to scrap water charges must allow the State “an opportunity to pursue” non-payers in its recommendations to the Dáil.

WORLD

Police have carried out a series of raids and arrested 12 people as they hunt the gunman behind an attack in Istanbul.

Fire driven by strong winds swept over forest land in the hills outside the Chilean port of Valparaiso, destroying dozens of homes and injuring at least 19 people.

At least 56 inmates have been killed after fighting started a riot at a prison in the state of Amazonas in northern Brazil.

SPORT

Kerry manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice believes more must be done to “keep lads at home” as more and more young GAA stars are being targeted by AFL clubs.

All-Ireland winning Tyrone boss Mickey Harte feels the GAA could stop playing the Irish national anthem and flying the tricolour at matches when “the time is right”.

Memories of Anthony Foley and his untimely passing will abound when Munster return to the French capital for their delayed Champions Cup meeting with Racing 92 this weekend and Rassie Erasmus admits the prospect is a challenging one.

With Chelsea forging clear in the Premier League, James Whelan casts his eye over the pacesetters and chasing packs in Europe’s top flight competitions.

OPINION

In a rare interview, Shane Ross tells Political Editor Daniel McConnell about a fractious Coalition with Fine Gael, Enda Kenny waving the Constitution in his face, Micheal Noonan as peacemaker, and the issues that may divide the Government.

Outwardly, Ian Paisley was vehemently against the Anglo-Irish Agreement, but state papers hint at a different attitude behind the scenes, writes Ryle Dwyer

BUSINESS

A process of regular consultation between Agriculture Minister Michael Creed and his British counterpart, Andrea Leadsom, on the implications of Brexit for the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors has started.

National Accounts data from the CSO showed that GDP grew by an estimated 4.6% year-on-year in the first three-quarters of 2016. This is a strong performance, but it represents a slowdown in the growth rate of the economy compared to 2014 and 2015.

LIFESTYLE

Christmas is most definitely over and many of us will be aiming to recover from the festive indulgence with health and fitness resolutions. Time will tell if we will stick to them in the long-term but in the meanwhile here are some ways to minimise the costs of a new-found commitment to health.

SHOWBIZ

Take That hitmaker Gary Barlow has said he is not concerned about a ratings war with The Voice when his new TV singing contest launches on Saturday.

EXAMVIRAL

David Bowie fans are being given the chance to pick their favourite of his albums, a year after he died at the age of 69.

Technology is moving at lightning speed, and on the whole we’re pretty thankful for it. But a new advertisement seen on the Beijing underground shows things are perhaps moving a bit too fast – and we’re a bit frightened.

VIDEO - OUR CHOICE

Would you dare take a dip in the icy waters in January? Well, Fianna Fáil leader and TD Micheál Martin did!

MOST READ RIGHT NOW

House prices nationally have risen by 34%, or more than €56,000, on average since their lowest point in 2013 — and they are set to keep rising as demand continues to far outstrip supply.