Saturday/Sunday
The Independent TD for Donegal North-East, Mr Harry Blaney, was prepared to withdraw his support for the minority Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats Government unless he was assured of a commitment that a referendum on abortion would be held in the lifetime of the Government.
The Irish National Liberation Army confirmed its view of the futility of continuing the "armed struggle" but insisted it was not about to begin decommissioning its weapons.
The Horse Show at the RDS brought an Irish double in the Mini-Grand Prix and Puissance events on Saturday. It closed on Sunday with Britain's John Whitaker picking up the Grand Prix winner's cheque.
The president of the Irish Farmers' Association, Mr Tom Parlon, opened the Tullamore National Livestock Show to a record attendance.
Monday
The Northern Ireland Parades Commission decided to allow an Apprentice Boys march down the lower Ormeau Road despite nationalist condemnation. Delegates from the Apprentice Boys of Derry and the Bogside Residents' Group met in an effort to reach a compromise.
Fourteen hospitals are to receive £3 million to help reduce waiting lists. The Irish Medical Organisation was critical that the hospitals chosen were those which had the largest share of resources.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, was in Tripoli trying to secure the resumption of live animal exports from Ireland. The trade was worth about £10 million annually, with up to 70,000 animals a year being shipped. Libya stopped imports from Ireland in March 1996.
Tuesday
Stringent new requirements on local authorities to draw up strategies to house existing and future populations in their areas will be introduced in a new planning and development Bill.
An additional £15 million has been allocated to local drug task forces in areas of Dublin, Cork and Bray, Co Wicklow, to augment a £25 million package of measures introduced nationwide last April.
The traditional Puck Fair got under way when King Puck, a goat captured near Macgillycuddy's Reeks, was winched 50 feet above the thousands of tourists and spectators in Killorglin, Co Kerry.
Wednesday
The solar eclipse brought the country to a standstill shortly after 11 a.m. as thousands flooded from homes and offices to view the spectacle. Best views were in Dublin and many parts of the southeast.
The Censorship of Publications Board issued a six-month ban on In Dublin magazine because a number of its editions "have usually or frequently been indecent or obscene". Although not specific on its decision for the ban, controversial advertising for health studios and prosecutions of brothel operators contacted through its pages were thought to be the main reasons.
The Parnell Summer School in Co Wicklow heard that Blessington had lost three archaeological sites through quarrying. The Blessington Heritage Trust will ask Mr Justice Moriarty, who heads the Payments to Politicians Tribunal, to investigate the State's sale of Glen Ding Wood to Roadstone following the discovery of new evidence.
Thursday
Enterprise Oil has claimed the Corrib gas field off the Mayo coast could provide as much as half of Ireland's gas needs.
Mr Tony Taylor, the investment broker who disappeared in August 1996, appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court. He was arrested on foot of 15 extradition warrants relating to charges of fraudulent conversion of approximately £620,000 of his clients' money.
The Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, said the Government would not contest the Information Commissioner's decision to disclose individual expense claims of Oireachtas members.