Opposition describe McDowell speech as 'extraordinary'

Fine Gael and Labour said this afternoon that a speech made by Justice Minister Michael McDowell in Waterford today showed the two parties in government knew the current coalition could not be returned to power.

Minister McDowell said it didn't matter whether Bertie Ahern or Enda Kenny was the next Taoiseach, and that it would be the smaller party in government that would determine its direction.