Coalition in power two years when Smyth row erupted
IN OCTOBER 1994, Fianna Fáil and Labour had been in coalition for almost two years when a major controversy arose that would eventually lead to the collapse of the government.
When the vacancy arose for the president of the High Court, then taoiseach Albert Reynolds pushed for attorney general Harry Whelehan to be appointed, notwithstanding the objections of Labour and of its then leader, tánaiste Dick Spring.