Talks at 'sensitive stage' as bid to avoid Christmas election continues

Talks between the Taoiseach and the leader of Fianna Fail are said to be at a sensitive stage as they continue their bid to avoid a Christmas election.

A Fianna Fáil motion of no confidence in the Tánaiste remains scheduled for debate in the Dáil on Tuesday.

If it is passed, the party will be in breach of the confidence and supply agreement that is propping up the minority-led Fine Gael government – triggering a general election.

At least 22 injured in Tenerife dancefloor collapse

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is not aware of any Irish people caught up in a nightclub accident in Tenerife.

At least 22 people were injured when a dancefloor collapsed at a nightclub in popular tourist spot Playa de las Americas.

Emergency services were called to Butterfly Disco Pub at around 2:30am.

Rabbitte dismisses plan to transfer licence fee collection to Revenue

A former communications minister has rejected calls for the Revenue to take control of collecting the TV Licence in place of An Post.

It is reported this morning that an Oireachtas report is due to recommend that collection of the fee be transferred to the Revenue Commissioners in an effort to eliminate evasion.

The Oireachtas Communications Committee is due to make the recommendation later this week according to The Sunday Times.

Britain's trade minister puts UK on collision course with Ireland over border issue

The British cabinet minister in charge of international trade has insisted that no decision on the Irish border can be made until Brexit talks move on to the second stage.

The comments from Westminster’s international trade secretary Liam Fox will put him directly at odds with both Ireland and the EU.

EU negotiators have long-warned that talks cannot move on to the UK's future trading relationship with the EU until “sufficient progress” is made on three key issues – the border, citizens rights and the so-called Brexit bill.

Red alert warning issued to airlines following Bali volcano eruption

Around 2,000 passengers, mostly from Australia, were stranded at Bali airport after a volcano on the Indonesian island erupted.

At least 28 departing or arriving flights were delayed or cancelled as Mount Agung sent plumes of ash and steam as high as 13,000ft (4,000 metres) into the sky.

The ash covered roads, cars and buildings, while there were also reports of magma from the eruption.