Burke survives hairy inquisition

Ireland's foreign minister Ray Burke, who is leading Dublin's team in next week's Northern Ireland talks has survived a Dail grilling on why he was paid pounds 30,000 in cash from a builder during the 1989 general election.

Mr Burke (left) said "no strings were attached" to the gift, but evaded Opposition inquiries on whether he took other large contributions eight years ago. His survival is critical for the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, whose judgement in appointing him in June after a private Fianna Fail party inquiry into the gift was also on trial.