Ahern silence about Sheedy query strains Coalition ties

Saturday/Sunday

The stability of the Coalition Government came under strain with the Sunday Tribune's report that the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, had not complied with the Tanaiste's request to reveal to the Dail that he had made representations to the Department of Justice on behalf of Philip Sheedy. A new classical music radio station, Lyric FM, was launched in Limerick by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera.

The south and south-east basked in glorious sunshine over the holiday weekend, though in other parts it was dull. Kilkenny was the hottest spot - in the high teens.

Monday

The Taoiseach defended his role in the Sheedy affair, saying the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, never demanded he put his representation for Sheedy on the Dail record. He denied the Coalition was under strain and said the Government would consider an election "around June 26th, 2002".

It was revealed that the work of two further consultant obstetricians in the North-Eastern Health Board area was under review. One is being investigated for the rate of Caesarean hysterectomies he has carried out. A complaint has been made to the Medical Council about the other.

A fire temporarily suspended sailings of the Stena HSS car ferry, Stena Explorer, between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead. The Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods, asked for a report on the incident.

The fire broke out in an engine when the vessel was 20 minutes from Dun Laoghaire.

The Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat, asked the Government to help mobilise international support for the Middle East peace process. He met the Taoiseach at Government Buildings.

Tuesday

Ms Harney refused to talk to the Taoiseach for several hours until he issued a statement saying that he had, after all, agreed to her request to tell the Dail of his representations in the Sheedy affair. A Cabinet meeting was postponed and then cancelled as a result of the stand-off.

Dissident Bishop Michael Cox, who ordained the singer Sinead O'Connor two weeks ago, said he had been approached by four more women who wanted to be ordained as priests. Gay Byrne was appointed a non-executive director of Virgin Express Ireland Ltd.

The Flood tribunal began hearing witnesses other than Mr James Gogarty. Two journalists, Matt Cooper, editor of the Sunday Tribune, and John Ryan, managing editor of Magill magazine, gave evidence about articles which appeared in their publications.

A report on prison deaths recommended an urgent review of the dispensing and control of drugs in prison.

Wednesday

The former Supreme Court Judge, Mr Hugh O'Flaherty, refused on constitutional grounds to appear before an Oireachtas committee to explain his actions in the Sheedy case. He made his announcement in a letter to the Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights.

The Flood tribunal raised new questions for the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste about what they knew of payments made to Mr Ray Burke before he was made a minister in 1997. This followed new information from the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, to the tribunal. The evidence was about the role played by Mr Bertie Ahern, Ms Harney and Mr Dermot Ahern in the investigation into planning allegations against Mr Burke.

Relatives of the murdered Belfast solicitor, Mr Pat Finucane, met the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, at Stormont. They pressed their case for a public inquiry into his death.

Two investigations were launched into the conduct of a court case in Castlerea District Court, Co Roscommon. The case, concerning an alleged assault by the son of a then-serving member of the Garda, was dealt with at a court sitting before the one scheduled. The charges were dismissed.

The first groups of Kosovan refugees would arrive in Ireland next Monday, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, announced. Almost 150 will arrive at Farranfore Airport in Co. Kerry.

Thursday

The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, said he would "not dispute" Mr Hugh O'Flaherty's statement that on constitutional grounds he could not appear before the Dail committee investigating the Sheedy affair.

The Government was expected to receive requests from an Oireachtas committee soon either to change the law to compel the former judges at the centre of the Sheedy affair to explain their roles, or to establish a tribunal of inquiry into the matter.

Cablelink, formerly owned by Telecom Eireann and RTE, was sold to the Anglo-American group, NTL, for £535 million. The deal was delayed by a High Court action by a rival bidder, Esat Telecom. Esat's assertion that its bid of £410 million should be accepted was rejected by the court.

Mr Romano Prodi, EU Commission President-designate, appointed Mr David O'Sullivan to head his cabinet. Mr O'Sullivan is the most senior permanent Irish official in the Commission.

The Ulster Volunteer Force was said to be anxious to see permanent disarmament. It marked a dramatic shift from saying it might never decommission its weapons.

Irish actor Liam Neeson announced he was quitting the film industry, in disgust at being treated like a "puppet".