Politics

Michael McDowell's racist remarks about asylum seekers and his spectacular volte face on crime raise renewed questions about his fitness for office, writes Vincent Browne

During a Dail debate on 18 May, Conor Lenihan, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for overseas development intervened to tell Joe Higgins he should "stick with the kebabs".

Individuals who seek asylum in Ireland may be recognised as refugees at either the first instance - by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) - or on appeal - by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT). If unsuccessful at appeal, they may apply to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for "leave to remain".

The significance of this is simply that Ireland and Mexico were in no doubt but that war would be illegal without a further resolution. At least that was the inference from Peter Goldsmith's letter.

The Garda Representative Association's opposition to proper disciplinary procedures continues to threaten discipline within the force and ultimately could lead to 'disaster'. By Vincent Browne

The government this week deferred, yet again, decisions on the proposed second terminal at Dublin airport and the funding of Aer Lingus. Also this week, the European Court of Justice found Ireland in serious breach of waste directives. The Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, acknowledged the State had been slow to implement environ-mental legislation. The revelations merely underline the state of paralysis there is within the government on a wide range of issues.

The left is split over the EU Constitution, with Labour calling for a YES vote and Sinn Féin encouraging a NO. We asked MEPs Proinsias De Rossa and Mary Lou McDonald to follow up their recent exchange in our letters pages with a one-on-one email debate

Bertie Ahern has said the next general election will be his last. But be warned, the days of Ahern rule may not be finished when the Taoiseach hangs up his political boots. Another Ahern is quietly grooming himself for the big job and building a track record at home and abroad to enhance his leadership chances whenever the contest is called.

The English king, Henry II once plaintively asked, "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" Now I'm not suggesting that Michael McDowell should be dealt with in the manner of poor Thomas à Becket, but after last weekend's histrionics at the PD conference in Cork, I detect a fatalistic irritation in the ranks of Fianna Fáil, a wondering if there is anyone capable of shutting him up.

It is managed by a board of directors with 20 members. Seventeen are elected during elections held every five years. The majority of candidates come from mainstream political parties and hold seats on local county councils. The other three members of the Údarás board are co-opted on by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.