Just after 9.30 PM, Irish time. The following has just been posted on the RTE site:

RTÉ News has learned that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern may have bought his home from an individual who attended the controversial Manchester dinner at which he received £8,000 while Minister for Finance.

Documents suggest that businessman Micheál Wall may have sold Mr Ahern his house in Drumcondra three years after the dinner.

Fine Gael environment spokesperson Fergus O'Dowd said it was amazing that the Taoiseach did not name Mr Wall as an attendee at the dinner in Manchester.

Mr O'Dowd described the development as 'truly bizarre'.

This is it. There's no way back. No more spluttering, crocodile tears, or half-apologies. Just grab your anorak on the way out, Bertie.