Politics

Mary O'Rourke wants to return to the Dáil and perhaps ministerial office. First she'll have to see off the Boxer, the show-band man and possibly even Albert Reynolds' son. Mary Regan reports

Compulsory Irish is a simple slogan that acts as a red rag to a bull in Irish language circles, and Enda Kenny's speech in Cork last weekend suggesting the removal of Irish as a subject of compulsory study at Leaving Certificate level has stirred up a predictable debate – one that is shrouded in ambiguity, misconceptions and rhetorical pretence.

The Fine Gael Ard Fheis will be high on expectation, low on specifics.

Sinn Féin should be stopped raising money in the US and everywhere else, as should all political parties

Labour's spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs, Willie Penrose, says his party will "significantly increase the rates of social welfare payments", if they are in Government after the next election. In his policy document, to be published in the next fortnight, he also proposes a new child benefit supplement and the abolition of means testing as part of "10 steps to tackling poverty". He says that Labour in government would reverse the "savage 16" cutbacks made in the 2003 budget.

One of Ireland's Nobel Peace Prize-winners has said the Government should be on trial over its role in the Iraq war, rather than the five activists currently on trial for damaging a US plane at Shannon.

St Vincent de Paul make over 300,000 visits every year to people in need. They spent over €31m in 2003 fighting poverty. Calls for assistance to their national office are up by 300 per cent. The St Vincent de Paul are calling on the Government to share Ireland's economic success more equally by using the 2005 budget as the opportunity to break the cycle of disadvantage across the population, including older people and children.

While it was the 'Molloy factor' that got Noel Grealish into national politics, he's hoping that the 'Grealish factor' will keep him there. As a Government backbencher, much of his time is spent working on local issues. By Mary Regan

Aircraft used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the transfer of "terrorist" suspects did not seek authorisation from the Irish government for landings at Shannon airport.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and justice spokesman Jim O'Keefe have given their backing to the PLUS campaign to let young asylum seekers stay in Ireland.