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John Drennan: Enda, a man of the people no more

Once upon a time, and a long time ago it was too, Enda Kenny was quite the enthusiast for the concept of a 'rate my teacher'-style report card where dilatory ministers would be called into headmaster Kenny's study and told to mend their ways.

John Drennan: Senior ministers don't get realities of crisis -- Spring

The Irish banks should pay "social and economic reparations" to the State as a result of the reckless lending that led to the economic collapse, according to Labour backbench TD Arthur Spring.

John Drennan: Rare chance for Fianna Fail to put the country ahead of party's needs

The concept that Fianna Fail's support of the unloved fiscal compact offers Micheal Martin a real opportunity might appear surprising.

John Drennan: Kenny lashed over 'affection' for pal Lowry

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny is under fire from his own backbenchers over continued close links with disgraced TD Michael Lowry.

John Drennan: Mitchell will quit the Dail if censured

The Government is facing an unwanted by-election in Dublin South if a Fine Gael internal inquiry into its members who were criticised by the Mahon tribunal censures the respected government backbencher Olivia Mitchell or withdraws the party whip from her.

John Drennan: Labour must step out from Fine Gael's Lowry shadow

THERE was no danger at Labour's centennial conference that the party faithful would be allowed forget that Eamon Gilmore is the most successful Labour leader in the history of the State.

John Drennan: Lawyers gorge on €73m in fees paid out by HSE

BARRISTERS and solicitors have been paid €73.2m in legal fees over the last three years as a result of negligence claims against the HSE which have been dealt with by the State Claims Agency.

John Drennan: FG ideals lost amid trappings of power

The more homespun delegates were certainly impressed by the palatial location of the first ard fheis in 15 years where Fine Gael is in power.

John Drennan: Globetrotting Enda offers us hope of a future

It was once said of Bill Clinton by one of the sisterhood that if he was to be reincarnated as a member of the canine species the wandering president would be "one of those hounds that is hard to keep on the porch''.

John Drennan: When Enda met Dave -- it was the start of a beautiful bromance

IT would probably be excessive to suggest that Enda Kenny's meeting with David Cameron resembled the diplomatic equivalent of When Harry Met Sally.

John Drennan: Creighton warns of cash-flight risk

Ireland will be reduced to going around Europe with a "begging bowl" if the people vote 'No' in the fiscal compact referendum, the Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, has warned.

John Drennan: Enda and the EU Chocolate Factory

You might think a referendum, a wedding and a Grand National are very dissimilar, but they do share one common aspect: once the thing starts, it is quite hard to stop it without a great deal of chaos.

John Drennan: Varadkar at war with Revenue over VAT on road tolls

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar is at war with the Revenue Commissioners over the taxman's threat to impose hefty VAT rates of 21 per cent on road toll charges.

John Drennan: Teacher cutbacks to hit just 39 rural schools

A maximum of 39 small rural schools will lose a teacher because of Ruairi Quinn's changes in the primary school pupil-teacher ratio.

John Drennan: Cradle of nation a derelict national disgrace

Concern is growing at the highest level of government over the ongoing dereliction of the central location of the 1916 rebellion.

John Drennan: Enda's response to Hogan debacle smacks of Bertie

One of the critical things we, and far more importantly still Enda, should learn from our Age of Tribunals is that when sleaze arrives with a smiling face, whether it be Frank Dunlop in a council chamber, or an entirely legitimate meeting in a ministerial office, it is almost plausible.

John Drennan: Coalition splits over O'Brien's media plan

A serious rift is developing between the coalition partners over the politically sensitive issue of proposed reforms in the area of media ownership.

John Drennan: FF is a political ghost estate and must be demolished

IN the wake of the Mahon report, the most patriotic thing Fianna Fail can now do is turn its face to the wall, pay off its creditors and announce its immediate disbandment.

John Drennan: Referendum watch: Lost in the bilaterals as Rehn rocks boat

The wren may be the king of all birds but the Government spent last week wishing a Rehn of a very different sort had chirruped a little less loudly. By the close of a doleful week for the Yes side Michael Noonan offered the blundering Finn a fool's pardon with the observation that poor Olli had been feeling "frayed".

John Drennan: Bravehearts in No camp are waging a futile war

One would have thought our Government of Grumpy Old Men (and a few token women) would be wise enough to realise referenda can be very bad for your political health.

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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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