Ahern plays down reports of FF-PD rift over café bars
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is attempting to play down reports of a rift between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats over proposals to introduce licences for café bars.
The PD-backed proposals have been abandoned following intense opposition from Fianna Fáil backbenchers.
Media commentators have described the move as a major rift between the coalition partners, but Mr Ahern said today that it was simply part of everyday political debate.
He also denied suggestions that Fianna Fáil opposed the move due to pressure from vested interests like publicans.
