Two sets of important negotiations are running in parallel. One — hopefully — to end a process, the other — hopefully — to prevent a civil war or something as catastrophic breaking out on the fringes of Europe.

Minister Brendan Howlin has said the Public Accounts Committee should compel any Central Remedial Clinic board members to appear and answer further questions from TDs and Senators - even if they refuse.

The former chairman of the Central Remedial Clinic says he needed to agree to the controversial pay-off to Paul Kiely to save the organisation around €1.4m.