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Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins

Political Editor

Stephen Collins is the political editor of the Irish Times. He has been a political journalist for over 20 years and was formerly the political editor of the Sunday Tribune and the Sunday Press, having started work as a journalist with the Irish Press Group.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan were “ quick to hit back, insisting that international tax and accountancy rules were at the source of the problem rather than Ireland’s 12.5 per cent tax rate ”. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh
Political system tied up in trivia ignores the most serious issues

Inside Politics: Spat between Alan Shatter and Mick Wallace an enjoyable source of controversy that added to the gaiety of the nat(...)

Higgins says parliaments losing power to unaccountable agencies

Micheál Martin: said his parliamentary party would make a decision on its approach to the Bill in the next few weeks after the full text is published. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
Micheál Martin voices support for abortion Bill

FF leader says Bill would make abortion more restrictive than is currently the case

Brendan Howlin: told the Dáil the legislation will provide a facility for unions to conclude collective agreements with their public service employers. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Big cuts in top public service pensions

Some contingency measures in pay cut Bill will not be introduced if unions sign up to deal

Brendan Howlin, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin at a press briefing on the Croke Park negotiations yesterday. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Howlin still aiming for €300m in pay bill savings

New deal to be put to union members

Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaking aboout the proposed abortion legislation before a recent Cabinet meeting. He has staked his political reputation on getting the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill passed before the summer recess. Photographer: Dara Mac Dónaill
Enda Kenny’s political reputation at stake in abortion legislation’s safe passage

Inside Politics: Fate of Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill will be one of the defining features of his term as Taoiseach

As the largest party in the Oireachtas, Fine Gael came top of the list for state funding with a total of € 4.9 million paid to the party last year. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times
Parties received €14m State funds in 2012

Standards Commission report finds Fine Gael top of list for political funding

A number of figures such as former minister for justice Michael McDowell have announced their intention to join the campaign by Independent Senators
Coalition to accept Bill on Seanad reform amid fears of internal revolt

Fear of revolt by Government senators prompts decision not to oppose reform Bill

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore speaking to the media at the arrivals for the recent formal meeting of EU foreign Ministers in Dublin Castle. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Gilmore to chair crucial EU budget talks

Big test for Irish presidency in negotiations on €960 billion seven-year budget

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