MR McDOWELL'S ambition to become Attorney General was dashed when the spoils of office went to more senior members after the party entered government with Fianna Fall. Although not a Dail member, he remained extremely active. And Fianna Fail came to loathe his hectoring speeches as he excoriated its failures and innoculated the Progressive Democrats against the absorbing, embrace of old comrades. Fianna Fail loved to hate him.
He recaptured his Dail seat when the 1992 election came around. His support for Mary Harney proved crucial in her struggle with Pat Cox for the party leadership in 1993 but, since then, there have been moments of strain.
Government parties have targeted Mr McDowell as a precarious element within the PDs. To frighten the electorate, it was suggested, all that was necessary was to keep repeating Michael McDowell, Michael McDowell, Michael McDowell.
The parties may be confounded in their expectations. For the man who regards himself as a traditional liberal has carved out a warm niche for himself in the hearts of PD supporters. With his flair, his intelligence and his clarity of thought, Mr McDowell is still on track to becoming Attorney General.