Progressive Democrats celebrate 20th birthday

The Progressive Democrats are today marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of the party by Fianna Fáil TDs disenchanted with Charlie Haughey's leadership.

The PDs were set up by Dessie O'Malley on December 21, 1985, in protest at Mr Haughey's leadership style.

They were written off at the time, but have survived to become one of the most influential forces in recent Irish politics and have spent 11 of the past 20 years in government.