Election campaignstarts in A&E wards

There's no doubt that as political bruisers go our Tánaiste Mary Harney takes some beating.

There's no doubt that as political bruisers go our Tánaiste Mary Harney takes some beating. She can mix it with the best of them - fixing journalists with a “don't-mess-with-me'‘ stare.

Even in the most difficult of times and under the most immense pressure from events, her parting shot has always been a resort to the “integrity and efficiency'‘ number. As in: don't forget that this is the leader of the Progressive Democrats ...