Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said he failed to give a breath test at a Garda checkpoint several years ago because he is asthmatic.

The Public Accounts Committee has heard that an office kitted out for the former Junior Minister John McGuinness was more akin to one on Wall Street than Kildare Street.

Gardaí have confirmed they are carrying out an investigation into the mistreatment of children at two creches in Dublin.

Revenue has been forced to close its busiest office in Dublin because of an occupation by protesters.

A successor to the Croke Park II deal - formally called the Haddington Road Agreement has been published - containing the recommendations of the Labour Relations Commission.

An Independent TD has asked the Tánaiste to confirm whether Alan Shatter was stopped and cautioned by gardaí before being appointed Justice Minister.

"Shocking and disappointing", that is the response of the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore to allegations of the mishandling and verbal abuse of children at two Dublin crèches.

A meat wholesaler has been arrested in the Netherlands in connection with the horsemeat scandal which gripped Europe at the start of the year.