Ahern payments - Dáil drama is more about future of PDs

The crisis that has bedeviled the Government for more than a week is over and the coalition of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats remains intact.

Unashamedly, it was deflated by Tánaiste Michael McDowell who declared Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was wrong to take payments but still fit to remain in office.

Mr Ahern’s predicament is over, but it remains to be seen if Michael McDowell and his party have yet to confront one next summer.