The Tanaiste has described the criticisms of his special adviser, Mr Fergus Finlay, by counsel for Mr Albert Reynolds in the London High Court last week as "scurrilous", writes Catherine Clean from Damascus.
"They were unwarranted and in a situation where the lawyer took total advantage of the situation he was in. I have absolute confidence in Fergus Finlay, in his integrity in everything he has done since he's been working for me now for 15 years."