Politics & Politicians

• For more than a week now different sections of the media have been telling us that a report from the Moriarty Tribunal is imminent. This will focus on former Taoiseach Charles Haughey's dealings with businessmen. Some journalists suggest that the late Mr Haughey will be severely criticised, while others suggest that the report will largely absolve him of serious impropriety.
• Last Sunday Taoiseach Bertie Ahern urged Sinn Féin to call an ardfheis as soon as possible to obtain the grass roots approval necessary for the party to support the PSNI. Such support is one of the DUP's prerequisites for a power-sharing executive. Another area of contention between the DUP and Sinn Féin is the devolution of responsibility for justice and policing. A transition date is a prerequisite for Sinn Féin while the DUP wants responsibility to remain at Westminster, lest Sinn Féin ever have any direct influence over policing. A suggested compromise of reserving this portfolio for either the SDLP or the UUP has now been rejected out of hand by Sinn Féin Justice spokesman Gerry Kelly.
• MEP Marian Harkin announced on Monday that she will not seek re-election to the Dáil in next year's general election. Currently Ms Harkin represents the Sligo-Leitrim constituency as an Independent but says she believes she can be more effective by focusing on her role as MEP for the North and West constituency.
• The Labour Party has confirmed that Nicky Kelly will join outgoing TD Liz McManus as a Dáil candidate in the Wicklow constituency. Less than a month ago Mr Kelly was fined €730 for careless driving (he caused a collision by ignoring a stop sign), and for driving without insurance or motor tax. He also has a drink-driving conviction.
• As was widely predicted, Seán Haughey was appointed Minister of State for Education in succession to Síle de Valera who stood down on Friday. The son of former Taoiseach the late Charles Haughey, the 45-year-old career politician has represented Dublin North Central since 1992. Prior to that he spent five years in the Seanad.