Ahern and McDowell clear the air

THE strains between Bertie Ahern and Michael McDowell that brought the Government to breaking point were yesterday eased by a clear-the-air meeting between both party leaders.

Mr Ahern and Mr McDowell met for what was described as a lengthy discussion yesterday morning.

It was their first meeting since the Tánaiste expressed concern last Friday about the Taoiseach’s account of the situation regarding his house in Griffith Avenue, Dublin.