If you think we should abandon the Mahon tribunal, read this

YESTERDAY was a double anniversary. Both relate to the birth date of short-lived minority governments. Each lasted for less than a year.

One proved a great turning point in our history, while the other was marred by a series of scandals.

Seventy-five years ago — when Fianna Fáil came into power with the support of the Labour Party on March 9, 1932 — the lights of democracy and freedom were going out throughout Europe. In the next decade, Ireland would be one of the very few countries with a Catholic majority that would not succumb to fascism.