The Tánaiste's been delivered another blow losing his fifth Labour backbench TD in 21 months. 

Colm Keaveney elected by the Labour party members as its chairman has voted against the social welfare bill. 

He says he did so with a heavy heart because of the regressive budget. 

Sinn Féin says it's to seek legal advice after Donegal North East TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn was blocked from voting on the Social Welfare Bill. 

Deputy Mac Lochlainn was suspended from the Dáil earlier this week for being disruptive and refusing to sit down when told to do so by the Ceann Comhairle. 

Earlier today he successfully managed to evade security and vote on an amendement to the Social Welfare Bill, before being told he had no right to vote as he was on suspension. 

The Education Minister says he's deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Shannon Gallagher.

The 15 year old, who is the sister of Erin Gallagher from Co. Donegal, died by suicide last night. 

13 year old Erin also took her own life last October, amid allegations that she was being bullied online. 

In a statement this evening, Minister Rurai Quinn said his priority now is to provide support and assistance to the students and staff at Finn Valley College, where Shannon was a student.

The number of mortgages in arrears is still growing. That's according to new figures from the Central Bank.

11% of mortgages here are in now arrears of more than 90 days at the end of September.

More than 86,500 homeloans were more than three months in arrears.

That's an increase of about 5,000 on figures released at the end of June.

The Department of Finance is warning the public about hoax calls offering a tax refund of €2,000.

The callers are posing as Department of Finance officials seeking personal information from taxpayers in connection with a refund.

Anyone who may have already provided bank information in response to these calls should contact their bank or credit card company immediately.