Bitter memories make Bertie skip the beef on the political menu

WE can be sure that Larry Goodman did not drop his multi-million euro lawsuit against the Government because he thought he had such a good case.

The Government could have pursued him for its costs, but history would suggest that Bertie was right to steer clear of that squabble, because beef difficulties have brought about the early political demise of most of his Fianna Fáil predecessors.

It was Albert Reynolds' testimony at the beef tribunal that brought down his first government in November 1992. Faced with what amounted to a perjury accusation, O'Malley had no real option but to bring down the Government. The same tribunal also played a major part in poisoning relations in the next Government as well.