Opposition parties criticise PDs after press conference

The opposition parties have heavily criticised the PDs in the wake of this morning's press conference at which PD leader Michael Mc Dowell called for a 'comprehensive' statement from Bertie Ahern on the Taoiseach's finances.

In a statement this lunchtime, Pat Rabbitte says the bizarre events of the past 24 hours" demonstrate very clearly that the only stable government now on offer is the Alliance for Change", made up of the Labour Party and Fine Gael.

Also responding to the latest developments, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent says Michael McDowell's statement is "belated, gutless and lacking credibility".