McDowell focuses on ‘repairing damage’

THE Progressive Democrats are staying in Government for the time being, despite the damaging revelations about Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Tánaiste and PD leader Michael McDowell ended his party’s 24-hour silence on the matter yesterday when he stated: “The Government is safe if the damage to the Government that has been done in recent times is repaired and that’s my focus.”

But there was a clear sense Mr McDowell was leaving enough leg-room for his party to change tack should further revelations emerge, hence the conditional nature of his commitment to the coalition.