THE most memorable image of the whole payments to the Taoiseach debacle was the soothing comment in his ear from Tánaiste Michael McDowell — “well done” — after the Dáil speech in which Mr Ahern gave absolutely no new information or clarification on the bungs; and “we survived it”, when they both tried later to put the crisis to bed.

CAN somebody please enlighten me as to what exactly it is that Justice Minister Michael McDowell is so convinced he has done for this country?