DEFENDING Willie O’Dea on Monday, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said: “I suppose Fine Gael are returning to type. They’ve always tried to get the dirt on people. I think it is despicable, to be honest.” Of course, he undoubtedly meant it is despicable to make false accusations.

Germany, the traditional engine of the European economy, is contracting more than even Italy, never the healthiest of plants at the best of times. The banking bailouts are largely Anglophone phenomena but the Eurozone has been hit harder by the global downturn. Japan’s industrial production is down severely too