Dail pact is likely to feel strain

THE disclosure in today’s Irish Mirror that Fianna Fail came close to pulling the plug on the Government highlights the fragile nature of the current political set-up.

It also shows there is a chance the country could be going to the polls in the New Year should another crisis arise.

It is not surprising Fianna Fail contemplated calling time on their support for Fine Gael over the party’s handling of the Frances Fitzgerald emails controversy.

The then Justice Minister’s refusal to quit when it was clear her position was untenable and the Taoiseach’s refusal to dismiss her left Micheal Martin’s party with no other option.

The Fianna Fail leader is correct when he claims there was an “overly-dismissive attitude towards the Dail” by the Government over questions about about the emails.

Had these queries been answered earlier the crisis might not have arrived in the first place but instead there was information put before the Dail that was not true.

Questions were raised about the alleged smear campaign by high-ranking gardai against whistleblower Sgt Maurice Mccabe.

The central claims are set to be addressed at the Disclosures Tribunal in the coming weeks.

Going on what has emerged already there is every reason to believe that fragile accord between the Government and Fianna Fail might again come under pressure.