Gung-ho champions of free market are on the run at home and abroad

WHAT a week of irony. The Progressive Democrats finally decided to fold up their tents and at the same time the world’s leading exponents of the free market all begged and pleaded for state intervention.

The PDs won’t be missed. For much of their history, it has to be said, they brought a degree of colour and excitement to Irish politics.

Their founding was a statement of integrity at one level. Des O’Malley, who set up the party, was (and still is, thankfully) a man of integrity and courage who went on to have more influence on the party he left than he ever could have by remaining within its ranks. He can claim credit, I believe, for finally forcing Fianna Fáil to come to terms with the principle of consent in relation to Northern Ireland.