Benchmark decisions see Martin plane down the dead wood

MICHEÁL Martin cut a lonely figure as he walked down the Leinster House plinth in search of a bench.

There were eight empty benches around him, but he stopped and announced he wanted to create one of his own.

Then Brian Lenihan appeared some distance behind Mr Martin — but not nearly as distant as they are said to be in private — and all became clear as what’s left of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party gathered around the two men.