McDowell denies coalition rift over rape law crisis

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell has denied there is any rift between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil over the handling of the statutory rape law crisis.

Mr McDowell said suggestions that relations between the coalition partners were strained over the affair were a “myth”.

“Relations are very good. There was no party political aspect to it. Everybody in the courts, in the parliament, on the streets, is equally committed to protecting our children. It’s how we do it is the issue,” he said, adding that a cautious approach was the right way to go.