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Fionnan Sheahan: Labour and Gilmore haven't time to dwell on past glories

IN 100 years, the Labour Party went from the lockout to the lock-in. Its centenary conference, marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the party, served as a reminder of its maturity.

Fionnan Sheahan: Taxing time ahead for property-levy advisers

"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things" -- 'The Prince', Niccolo Machiavelli.

Fionnan Sheahan: No government will kick its own record, but a Coalition marking its own homework results in a serious credibility problem

The Taoiseach standing on the steps of Government Buildings with a report on the progress of measures in the Programme for Government is nothing new.

Fionnan Sheahan: The Government must learn from mistakes of previous referendums

IN fact, Irish voters more than most have reason to support restraints on the behaviour of their leaders. Twice in 40 years, venal politicians and incompetent or cowardly officials have brought the country to bankruptcy.

Fionnan Sheahan: Lure of lucre alive and well in politics despite donation limits

Why stop there? It's the question that arises upon reading the Government's crackdown on corporate donations. The new legislation going through the Houses of the Oireachtas is laudable and goes a long way toward cutting the ties between business and politics, which have cost the country so much.

Fionnan Sheahan: Great enforcer's retreat on fees will cost FG dear

The mobilised division of septic tank campaigners forced a strategic retreat by Phil Hogan with the dramatic slashing of the €50 registration charge to €5.

Fionnan Sheahan: The devil's in the detail as Howlin chickens out

'WHO are the losers? A family with three children will lose €40 a month, which is in addition to the previous cuts in child benefit last year, where they lost a significant amount."

Fionnan Sheahan: Penrose playing parish-pump politics undermines Budget

WILLIE Penrose's local organisation is the stuff of legend within the Labour Party. He carved out and held a seat for the party in a rural constituency through sheer hard graft.

Fionnan Sheahan: Luck and no little skill as Gallagher closes on Aras

Sean Gallagher has emerged from the pack of a pretty uninspiring field to lead the presidential election with just 48 hours ago. But it would do him an injustice to say he was only winning by default as he is succeeding where the others failed.

Fionnan Sheahan: No end to chaos for FF after Martin's latest farce

A 72-year-old veteran Senator with conservative views wasn't exactly what Micheal Martin had in mind to represent the 'new Fianna Fail'.

Fionnan Sheahan: Like Caesar’s wife – Enda sees value of transparency

He briefly sported a Caesar haircut, with a short, horizontally straight cut fringe. But Taoiseach Enda Kenny's new mantra appears to be modelled on Caesar's wife Pompeia-- to be above suspicion.

Fionnan Sheahan: How Big Phil got it wrong twice in a row

THIS weekend should have been his crowning glory -- master of ceremonies at the first Fine Gael Ard Fheis in 15 years with the party in government.

Fionnan Sheahan: One year on and it's no time for a party

IN hindsight, Fine Gael would have been better off letting Peter Mathews mark the one-year anniversary of the party's entry into government.

Fionnan Sheahan: Group therapy mood at Ard Fheis as FF begins renewal

A sign of the times came when the once staunchly conservative membership endorsed gay marriage and adoption by same-sex couples

Fionnan Sheahan: Martin facing up to his own civil war politics

MICHEAL Martin finally showed some steel last night -- but his party is in turmoil. Just days after his own TDs were calling for him to be more assertive in his leadership, the Fianna Fail leader faced down a mini-rebellion, and sacked his deputy, the grandson of the party's founding father.

Fionnan Sheahan: Parties must tell us how they spend state funding

A STICK frequently used by political parties to beat Independent TDs is the lack of accountability over how their €41,000 leader's allowance from the taxpayer is spent.

Fionnan Sheahan: The key economic hurdles Kenny must clear this week

He once marvelled about how "our children can text faster than we can speak". Yet, Taoiseach Enda Kenny is not completely convinced by the latest gadgets.

Fionnan Sheahan: Success of property tax lies with silent majority

Thirty-five years after getting rid of rates, the Government is finding any property tax is highly contentious. Within the Irish psyche, there is still a fascination with owning your own home. During the Celtic Tiger days, discussion of the spiralling prices of houses became a national pastime.

Fionnan Sheahan: A shameful tale of leaks, spinning and kite-flying

THROUGHOUT his eight-year period as Fine Gael finance spokesman, Richard Bruton constantly bemoaned the sidelining of the Dail in the budgetary process.

Fionnan Sheahan: Kenny presides over shift in the corridors of power

EVERY Wednesday at 2.30pm, a group of a dozen -- 11 men and a woman -- gather around the table in the Sycamore Room of Government Buildings.

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Dublin Sightseeing Reaches New Heights

Ireland’s most iconic venue, Croke Park Stadium, announced the opening of the much anticipated Etihad Skyline tour on the roof of the historic ground. Sponsored by Etihad Airways and opening to the public on Friday 1st June, the tour offers access to a unique Croke Park rooftop walkway and spectacular panoramic views of Dublin city.

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McAreavey suspect accuses police

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 30, confessed to police about his involvement in strangling Michaela McAreavey, but now insists he was forced to sign the statement.Treebhoowoon and co-accused Sandip Moneea, 42, deny murdering the 27-year-old teacher on her honeymoon at the Legends Hotel.

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