Simon Harris described his former colleague in Government Michael Healy-Rae as a ‘very good’ minister.

The latest political opinion poll shows Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats is the country's most popular party leader

Here, we take a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come

In a tightly contested election, Fine Gael's Seán Kyne came out on top despite getting fewer first preference votes than Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas.

Kyne narrowed the gap over subsequent counts to clinch the seat.

Fine Gael minister Peter Burke said it had been a ‘very strong election for Fine Gael’.

Leader of Independent Ireland Michael Collins said it is ‘down to transfers now’

Ennis said the party performed well because “we didn’t bend on who we were”.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin told reporters Dublin Central was a ‘poor result’.

The coalition came under criticism for its housing policies in the Dáil on Thursday.

Simon Harris said the decision to invest more in education ‘is a really good one’.

Micheál Martin said his party had historically made ‘very significant achievements’ in housing.

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has announced she is expecting her first baby following fertility treatment

Labour candidate Helen Ogbu is on 12 per cent, with the Social Democrats Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich on nine per cent.

The law bans selling tickets above face value for designated events in certain venues, with penalties of up to €100,000 and or two years in prison.

The Dubliner, aged in his 60s, has been described in court by a judge as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation.

The Government is doing ‘diddly squat’ to support working families with energy costs, Sinn Féin has said.

On the Path to Power podcast last week, the former Fine Gael leader said “What’s in the interest of farmers and the agriculture industry is by and large not in the interest of Ireland as a nation”.

A TD who reportedly gave a character reference to a man convicted of sexual exploitation should ‘come forward’, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have urged.

‘The Irish people don’t expect miracles, but they do expect to be listened to,’ Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea said.

Seán Barrett was first elected to the Dail in 1981.

Here, we take a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come

Ray McAdam was selected as the Fine Gael candidate for the Dublin Central by-election on Monday.

Survey on Hot School Meals highlights issues of portion size and food waste

The Offaly TD said tickets for this weekend’s crunch Six Nations rugby clash between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva are for sale online for exorbitant prices

The Green Party leader said Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris were ‘not prepared to give leadership’ over the climate.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton was embroiled in controversy when she announced a review of SNA allocations

Simon Harris said prison capacity should not be a factor in determining sentencing or granting of bail.

The former MEP cited health reasons when she announced last August that she would not be contesting the election for Fine Gael.

The majority of all voters who expressed an opinion, however, say that Martin should step down as leader of his party.

However, Sinn Féin still remains the most popular party in the country

The role of director general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is due to be filled later this year

Deputy Murphy said the strategy should focus on improved availability at peak times and in rural Ireland, stronger accessibility in practice, and a fair and transparent framework for drivers and passengers.

The Tánaiste said: ‘This can’t be the wild west anymore.’

Fianna Fáil's support has slumped to just 15 per cent, its lowest level since the last general election

Meath Co Councillor Yemi Adenuga was verbally assaulted while she walked back to her car in Navan's town centre in an incident she has described as 'frightening and disturbing,'

Deputy Maeve O'Connell said pets are an important part of many families, and it is "deeply unfair" to force people to give up their pet to secure a home.

Micheál Martin said the pledge was a government-term commitment.

It was also revealed that 25,000 referrals of potential child sex abuse images were made to gardaí last year

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald queried recent pay increase handed to the chiefs of semi state bodies.

The Fine Gael leader said he was not trying to create controversy, and nor was he dismissing the State’s “duty of care”, “but you have to have a right to housing in Ireland to be housed”.

Left-wing parties came together to canvass for President Catherine Connolly

The bill, introduced by People before Profit Solidarity TD, Ruth Coppinger, sought to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to ban the hunting of a fox or foxes.