28/02/2008

Taoiseach Dissenters ‘Not Fit To Tie His Shoelaces’

The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs has slammed the recent outpouring of criticism of the Taoiseach claiming some of those speaking out are “not fit to tie his shoelaces.”

Dermot Ahern rallied in defence of his party leader in the wake of continued castigation and calls for Bertie Ahern's resignation by opposition parties over the Mahon Inquiry.

Bertie Ahern faced tough questions this week in the case, which sought to identify the source of several payments into his account and questioning why these payments had not been declared for tax purposes.

The Foreign Minister’s comments come on the heels of an address defending Bertie Ahern by the Tánaiste, Brian Cowen, that many saw as half-hearted qualified support of the Taoiseach earlier this week, causing further damage to the Bertie Ahern's increasingly difficult position.

Fianna Fáil have dismissed suggestions that Mr Cowen’s remarks were ‘half hearted’ and that the party fully supports the Taoiseach.

Tensions have continued to soar since the hearing with the leader of Fine Gael being described as ‘Napoleon’ drawing up 'plans for lost wars' by Mr Cowen after the opposition leader suggested Fianna Fáil had been paralysed by the recent hearing and called for the Taoiseach to step down.

Enda Kenny, Fine Gael Leader, has since compared recent events to the Haughey era - saying the “pupil” was replicating the sins of the master.

Mr Kenny said it was time for the Tánaiste to deal with the matter with a sense of leadership and courage rather than collusion and weakness.

See: Ahern Facing Probe As Paisley Defiant On 'Jnr' Controversy

(DW)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 August 2008
From Taoiseach To Anchor – Ahern Tries Presenting
The former Taoiseach - and well known sports addict - is to try his had at anchoring an RTÉ sports show. Bertie Ahern will be guest presenter of the GAA show, The Road to Croker while the current anchor, Des Cahill attends the Beijing Olympics.
14 April 2008
Airline Boss's Comments Dismissed
A spokesman for the Taoiseach has said that Mr Ahern remains unmoved by a budget airline boss's scathing comments about him. He is quoted as saying the Ryanair chief's unparliamentarily remarks were most definitely "unworthy of comment". Airline boss Michael O'Leary had earlier said his own kind of goodbye to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
04 November 2008
Swathes Of Irish Deported From American Soil
Despite recent pressures from the Irish Government on America's politicians, increasing numbers of Irish citizens are being sent home from the United States. A total of 27 Irish people were reportedly deported this year alone from New York, with less than half of this figure deported the previous year.
01 May 2008
Ahern Asks Congress To Give Irish Immigrants Permanent Status
In a momentous speech in Washington, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday asked the joint meeting of the US congress to "find a solution" to the many Irish immigrants living illegally in America. He implored both houses of American power to "address the implications and to regulate the status" for Irish immigrants.
09 April 2008
Reynolds Gives Cowen His Blessing
Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, has given his full support to Brian Cowen, who is set to become new leader of Fianna Fail today. Albert Reynolds took Brian Cowen from the backbenches in 1992, giving him the role of Minister for Energy. Mr Reynolds said he wasn’t surprised that the out going Tánaiste has reached the top job.