TÁNAISTE Michael McDowell last night launched a vituperative attack on the Mullingar Accord parties claiming that Fine Gael MEP Gay Mitchell’s decision to remain in Brussels sent out a strong message that the writing was on the wall for the alternative coalition.

It took the devastating results of the recent elections to make Fianna Fáil and its Government partner, the Progressive Democrats, realise what they were being repeatedly told - they were not listening to the people.

Despite John O’Donoghue’s successes in both his ministries, he still remains first and foremost a Kerry TD, writes Political Editor Harry McGee.

THE Taoiseach’s top officials have been holding ongoing secret meetings with Independent TDs who previously propped up the Government.

THE Taoiseach’s decision to recall the Dáil on Thursday for a six-hour debate on the looming war in Iraq is long overdue and smacks of too little too late.