By Lord Henry THERE is no question that Mary Harney turned on the taps in the Dail on Wednesday with a strong defence of her tenure as Minister for Health. She spoke from the heart. The Taoiseach in a vigorous defence stated that she "is not the one to blame".

A local Fianna Fail cumann in Co Clare has passed a motion of no confidence in Bertie Ahern, accusing him of failing to show leadership on the issue.

By IRISH SUNDAY MIRROR ELECTION TEAM: NIALL DONALD, DEIRDRE O'DONOVAN, GERALDINE COMISKEY; STEPHEN MAGUIRE THE GREEN Party emerged as the king-makers yesterday who will put Bertie Ahern back in for a historic third term as Taoiseach.

By David McKittrick Ireland Correspondent Bertie Ahern swept home to an unexpectedly decisive victory in the Irish general election yesterday, guaranteeing an extension of his 10-year run as Irish Prime Minister.

The RTE poll predicts Fianna Fail will win more than 41% of first- preference votes, with Fine Gael on 26%, Labour 10%, the PDs 2.6%, the Greens 4.8% and Sinn Fein 7.3%.