Ahern to meet McDowell in bid to restore stability
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today that he would meet with Tánaiste Michael McDowell again tomorrow.
It is understood the pair, who spoke for almost 90 minutes yesterday, will try and patch up differences over revelations the Taoiseach received payments from businessmen in 1994.
They are scheduled to meet during talks with Northern parties over the peace process.
Mr McDowell’s concerns are believed to relate to the flow of information from the Taoiseach on the controversial Manchester payments.
Former Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald today advocated proper public funding of political parties and said the payments controversy was damaging Irish politics.
Opposition party leader Enda Kenny also hit out at the on-going saga, likening it to a soap opera.
Fine Gael’s Mr Kenny said the credibility of the Taoiseach and PDs was in tatters.
“Unfortunately this is like a soap opera when you’re waiting for the next instalment, how are they getting on today?” said Mr Kenny.
“We have another weekend of this when issues are happening around the country that need the Government’s focus and attention.
“The public have had enough of this,” he told TV3.
“The Taoiseach has failed to address the truth and failed to address that fundamental issue of right or wrong.”
The Taoiseach apologised to the Dáil last week for what he said was a misjudgement in accepting money from friends and a group of Manchester-based businessmen in the 1990s when he was a Government minister.
He added that although he was not in breach of any law or code of conduct at the time, he now regretted the choices he made.
The Green Party’s John Gormley said the continuing negotiations between the Taoiseach and Tánaiste are boring the electorate to tears.
The party chairman said it is time, for the sake of the country, to end this tiresome charade and called for a ban on all corporate donations.
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