Independent Ireland’s decision adds four TDs and a considerable boost to Steen’s efforts to get on the ballot paper

Bhí na maithe móra agus Tadhg an mhargaidh i láthair ag an gComórtas Treabhdóireachta - agus na hiriseoirí ar ndóigh

Gareth Sheridan dropped out of the reckoning on Monday when two councils rejected his nomination

On a bad day for Independents, Maria Steen also fell short with 18-member Leitrim County Council

Micheál Martin says Westminster has addressed key issues such as immunity

Mary Lou McDonald says announcement on Saturday will be a ‘game changer’

Tánaiste says case of missing boy ‘horrific and tragic’ while Taoiseach warns against a ‘rush to judgment’ in case of boy missing for years

Opposition putting pressure on Government to include fresh electricity credits in Budget

The Dáil returns after two months of summer break, with weeks of pre-budget leaking to come

Fine Gael’s Mary Hanna Hourigan says central government is whittling down councillors’ voting power

‘Even Mystic Meg does not know’ what is happening with Sinn Féin candidate selection process, says Tánaiste

Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin hugged and exchanged pleasantries when they met at the National Ploughing Championships. Video: Harry McGee

Tá go leor le láimhseáil sa Bhuiséad atá ar na bacáin

Kerry County Council looks set to back Gavin Sheridan but members of 10 other councils are unlikely to endorse a candidate

Council rejects resolution to give nomination to entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan