Michael McNamara has admitted he refused to vote for the establishment of the controversial new semi-state company.

The prominent mortgage arrears campaigner confirmed early this morning that he will run in the 23 May by-election.

The government looks set to move to writ for elections in Dublin West and Longford-Westmeath next month catching many of the possible candidates on the hop as they focus on the local and, in some cases, European elections.

The independent TD has formally resigned his Dáil seat.

Hall says that he feels an independent voice should fill the seat vacated by Patrick Nulty.

Excluding those who have resigned their seat to take up another political position or ill-health, there have been just a handful of resignations from parliament over principle or controversy down the years. Who are they? And why have there been so few?

Meanwhile, there are likely to be more revelations about Nulty sending inappropriate messages in the coming hours and days.

These are the runners and riders after the shock resignation of Patrick Nulty at the weekend.

Everyone’s been talking about the shock resignation of Patrick Nulty, Phil Hogan’s spat with Micheál Martin, and the grisly ‘House of Horror’ discovery in Nigeria.

The Independent TD resigned yesterday after it emerged he had sent inappropriate messages to a teenage girl.

He’s stepping down with immediate effect, hours before the revelations were expected to appear in a Sunday newspaper.

Six independent TDs, including former Labour minister Roisin Shortall, are among those working together to provide a support system for independent candidates in the local elections.

The government will almost certainly oppose the motion and ensure that it does not pass when a vote is held tomorrow night.

The gifts included clocks and cufflinks – and a currach made out of ceramic.

One opposition TD labelled the cut to the €850 grant as “a mean, ruthless, vicious targeting of people at their most vulnerable time”.

Two Labour TDs voted against the party on the Budget last year and the year before.

Róisín Shortall, Patrick Nulty and Tommy Broughan want people to vote Yes in just over a week’s time.

The Minister for Finance this week revealed that the former Financial Regulator has taken cuts totalling €24,000 to his pension.

The former junior health minister says she is “semi-detached” from the party.

The Galway East TD and chairman of the party is quitting six months after voting against the Budget.

The now independent TD has defended his decision to resign from the Labour Party in the wake of claims he committed “an electoral con-job” on the people of Dublin West.

The TD, elected at a by-election in October 2011 before losing the whip over the Budget two months later, has issued a statement this morning.

The whip system – where TDs must vote with their party position or risk expulsion – is the subject of some debate in political circles but immediate reform, ahead of potentially divisive abortion debate, appears unlikely.

In response to queries from TheJournal.ie this week, most TDs who have opposed the tax have said they will comply with it but at least seven said they will not pay even though it puts their Dáil seat at risk.

Up to 100 members of the party gathered in Dublin this morning to demand change. They want to see more Labour policies implemented in government.

A group of Labour TDs who are no longer part of the Labour parliamentary party are hoping to secure additional rights.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said the Government wants to bring closure to the issue.

An average of 20 people a day were jailed for non-payment of fines last year – despite moves to reduce the figures.

Watch the full 32-minute debate between James Reilly and seven opposition TDs on the death of Savita Halappanavar.

James Reilly says TDs’ comments could prejudge the findings of two investigations into the death of Savita Halappanavar, who died after being refused a termination procedure.

Patrick Nulty, who lost the Labour whip last December, has said he always opposed the party going into government with Fine Gael and criticised Leo Varadkar’s comments about public sector pay increments.

Gilmore said that his party was focussed on solving the country’s economic crisis but acknowledged difficulties with its identity in the coalition with Fine Gael.

Party leader Eamon Gilmore will make a keynote address, with protests expected around the conference site.

In an opinion piece for TheJournal.ie this morning, Nessa Childers says Labour needs to

Just how busy has the new government been? Well, they’ve cut their own pay – but they produce less legislation.

Fianna Fáil candidate David McGuinness recorded the highest expenses, according to SIPO.