FF-PDs become longest-serving peacetime government

The Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrat coalition today becomes the longest-serving peacetime government in the history of the State.

The government came to power in June 1997 and today outstrips the previous record of the Fianna Fail administration of 1957-1961.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described the milestone as "a real achievement", but Labour leader Ruairi Quinn said the coalition's term was marked by missed opportunities and a squandering of resources.