Seamus Mallon’s death less than two weeks ago meant his chastening analysis of the Belfast Peace Agreement as “Sunningdale for slow learners” was recalled.

Former IBRC chairman Alan Dukes has criticised remarks made by a top civil servant and said Department of Finance officials adopted an “attitude of suspicion” towards the bank that led to “unproductive tensions” between both sides.

FINE GAEL has rebuffed criticism by former party leader Alan Dukes over its plans for a “good bank”, calling his opinion “nonsense”.

I AM not sure whether Alan Dukes was in a self-pitying or a self-mocking mood when he addressed the Tallaght Chamber of Commerce last week. I suspect it was the latter.