Former minister Nora Owen pointed out there is precedent for non-ministerial members of the Regional Independents Group sitting on the opposition benches in the Dáil
The bulk of the six-week negotiations happened between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, but the Regional Independent Group played a vital role in forming the new government
Fianna Fáil leader has seven Cabinet jobs and the chief whip’s post to give out but he has about a dozen realistic contenders so many are going to be disappointed
Fianna Fáil set to have 8 Cabinet seats and 7 will go to Fine Gael with Micheál Martin becoming next Taoiseach
Inside Politics podcast with Hugh Linehan
Fine Gael proposal dropped amid concerns about international instability and economic uncertainty
Views are mixed among disabled people and their allies as to whether the programme promises progress, with some critical of ‘regressive’ tone
Speculation intensifying six days ahead of formal appointment of new Cabinet next Wednesday
Gathering almost every TD with a stake in the status quo in one government will prove to be a mistake
Healy-Raes say they will not be ‘whipped’ when it comes to ‘fundamental issues’ and ‘matters of conscience’
Michael D Higgins said massive scale-up of humanitarian aid is needed now to save lives
World Economic Forum’s latest Global Risks Report pinpoints geopolitical strife as chief risk to stability and progress
We are going to have to decarbonise and dampen down current spending to avoid overheating the economy
Fianna Fáil likely to get Department of Justice, with Dublin TD Jim O’Callaghan among names floated for the ministerial role
Regional Independent group and two Healy-Rae brothers set to join new government if negotiations are successful
Group of eight Independent TDs will submit a position paper to the two bigger parties setting out its preconditions for entering government
Fine Gael councillors Sharon Tolan and Jimmy Kavanagh to contest election for upper house of Oireachtas
Taoiseach says he accepted findings of Moriarty tribunal but that he knows ‘the practicalities of how the Dáil works’
Simon Harris says he believes there will be a new government within eight weeks
Series of referendums on issues such as housing and water ‘highly unlikely’, negotiators say
Year ahead promises no shortage of intrigue and challenge for the political classes as they look to digest a new reality brought about by the year of elections
Nick Clegg contacted Simon Harris in the summer and also met him in Dublin in December
After a year of two lost referendums, a taoiseach’s resignation and huge losses for government partners the Greens, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are returning to power
State funeral scheduled for Jaunary 9th, at which Biden will deliver a eulogy
Mayor John Moran wanted more than half the €14 billion windfall to be spent in Munster
Crime, emigration, a busy political calendar and the year of the live blog
Tributes paid to longest-surviving president, with Taoiseach Simon Harris praising work in Middle East
Next government needs to urgently implement a rights-based model of disability
Donald Trump is a businessman at heart. Ireland’s offering is one that speaks to him
US president-elect’s goals could hit investment, jobs and corporate tax receipts here, Harris warns
A year of change heralds a future of more of the same
Tony Blair had it right when he said manifestos and campaign promises are ‘a guide to winning but they’re an unsuitable guide to governing, except in describing what you hope will happen’
Bookmakers told Government about concerns some pubs were permitting black-market betting
Tánaiste says hunger caused by conflicts is being exacerbated by denial of humanitarian aid by warring parties
Simon Harris says call was made to express ‘solidarity’ between people of Ireland and Palestine
Those being pummelled by the cost of rent are living through a form of austerity, their take-home wages and disposable incomes decimated
Stormy conditions and damage to ferry at Fishguard compound festive season challenges for hauliers as Holyhead port remains closed
I don’t believe in the idea of being on the right side of history. The histories of the future are none of our concern. Our concern is the present
The family and care referendums were soundly rejected, Leo Varadkar most unexpectedly stepped down, and there was a decided turnaround in parties’ fortunes
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil ‘on track’ to strike government deal by January 22nd
A political year of shocks and surprises somehow ended up as it began: with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in cahoots. The politician of the year may have had something to do with it
New coalition government ‘on track’ to be formed by January 22nd, Simon Harris says
Irish and Welsh leaders pledged to review progress again in January, with no reopening expected before at least the middle of the month
Target is ‘used as a stick to beat us’, says head of State’s paediatric spinal unit
With no third party to disproportionately set the agenda or take the blame, the prospect of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parting as good friends at the end of the next Government will be more challenging
Anti-Semitism accusations are intended to ‘distract’ from deaths of children during war in Gaza, says Taoiseach
Verona Murphy securing the support of the two big parties for her candidacy was not straightforward
Micheál Martin also calls on Fianna Fáil TDs to vote for Wexford TD but in 2020 described her remarks on asylum seekers ‘quite dangerous’
Wexford Independent TD now favourite - but presence of sitting chair Ó Fearghaíl could complicate secret ballot
President was responding to comments from Israel’s foreign minister on Monday
US Chamber of Commerce raised concerns with Irish Government about the Occupied Territories Bill
Big tech fears more stringent rules being applied to their online platforms under a series of domestic and EU laws
Taoiseach Simon Harris says move is ‘deeply regrettable’ and describes Irish stance as ‘pro-international law’
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices
