Dublin is expected to be awash with European politicians this weekend as the 33rd annual congress of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party gets underway later.

THE budget is still nearly three weeks away and speculation is already mounting about the Government’s ability to get it through the Dáil. Against all expectations when this government was formed, the Greens have developed a limpet-like grip on power. Only grim death will separate them from ministerial office, it seems.