Politics

Far from being "second to none" as he claims, McDowell's legislative record is merely average. By Vincent Browne

The McDowell tantrum and the devastating critique of actor Brendan Gleeson of conditions in A&E departments could do terrible damage to the Progressive Democrats and to McDowell's own electoral prospects. By Vincent Browne

They've ruled out coalition with Fianna Fáil, which means that they are in danger of being taken for granted as partners for Fine Gael and Labour. The Greens must now show some bottle on key issues, writes Eoin Ó Múrchú

The following is an edited transcript of Michael McDowell's remarks outside Buswell's Hotel, on Molesworth St, Dublin, around noon on Monday, 20 March. The questions interjected were by Joe Little of RTÉ.

Seamus Brennan echoed some of Bertie Ahern's recent comments about social consciousness in a speech that he made at the weekend.

Ivor Callely wants to see 'justice applied in all cases'. Finian McGrath thinks Donna Cleary's murder was 'an absolute crime'. Martin Brady knows families who pay their mortgage out of the children's allowance. Five TDs met the residents of Coolock recently for a public question-and-answer session. From the audience, there was no mention of murders or gun crime. Colin Murphy reports

Last December, Mary O'Rourke said a special committee of the Seanad would be set up to investigate alleged CIA rendition flights through Shannon. But Fianna Fáil senators objected, and the motion to establish a committee was defeated in the Seanad on 8 March. These are the highlights of that debate

Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins tackled the Tánaiste, Mary Harney, on donations from property developers, the PD ethos, and the 'orgy of greed' in Irish society, during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil on 8 March

Phil Flynn was regarded as politically 'unhygienic' by ministers who later appointed him to State boards. By Vincent Browne

An education committee set up to evaluate policies on educational disadvantage by the Department of Education has not met for six months and has no members at present. Traveller groups say this is delaying the Traveller Education Strategy, which will now most likely not be in place for the new school year. Scott Millar reports