Tribunal-ations

WEARY deputies, run ragged from campaigning since before Easter and bracing themselves for what they hope are the final four weeks, are now worried about how the electorate will react to the Dunnes payments tribunal. Opposition deputies were gleeful at the bad PR projected by the row of Mercs outside Dublin Castle on Monday; Fine Gaelers were pointing fingers at Charlie Haughey while Fianna Failers were drawing attention to John Bruton's fund-raising activities and Michael Lowry's continuing difficulties. Overall the two major parties considered that the score was a draw, with the PDs, DL and the Greens gaining in esteem. As one dejected FG deputy said: "You really need to take a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience to work in this game."