The deal maker: An insight into the woman behind Fianna Fáil's negotiations

Deirdre Gillane, Advisor to Micheal Martin TD. Photo: Tom Burke

Nicola Anderson

Deirdre Gillane doesn't pull any punches and is well-accustomed to weathering squalls and storms ... all of which has come in useful at talks that have been so focused on water.

'That kind of thing is not acceptable when the country is awash with money," Deirdre Gillane railed in frustration as the hospital bed shortage spiralled out of control in July 1999.