McDowell hits back at Ahern swipe

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell last night hit back at recent Fianna Fáil criticism with a staunch defence of his PD principles.

Coming on the same day as senior Fianna Fáil and PD figures attempted to play down the continuing rift between the coalition partners, the latest salvo from Mr McDowell will be seen by many Fianna Fáil backbenchers as a further escalation of hostilities between the Government parties.

Mr McDowell's defensive comments also come as Communications Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday said his implicit attack on the PDs at the weekend was not directed at Mary Harney, but at Mr McDowell's suggestion that inequality was an "incentive" in the Irish economy.