Ahern will not give Dáil apology to Paisley
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will not apologise to DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley in the Dáil tomorrow, it emerged tonight.
A Government spokeswoman said Mr Ahern would use the debate on the Northern Ireland peace process to clarify the Government’s position but he would not be directly apologising to the hardline unionist leader.
“He is not going read an apology into the record of the Dáil,” she said.
“An apology is not expected or required.”
Mr Paisley was infuriated by Mr Ahern’s verbal gaffe in which he suggested the Government’s position on decommissioning was no longer workable.
He had threatened to break off contact with the Irish Government but after a late night phone call from the Taoiseach, appeared satisfied that Mr Ahern had simply been projecting the views of Sinn Féin.
Ian Paisley Jr said tonight he had heard differing accounts about exactly what Mr Ahern would say publicly tomorrow.
“We are content to wait and see exactly what he says,” the North Antrim MLA said. “If he says what he said on the phone yesterday we will be happy.”
It is understood Mr Ahern had issued a full apology to Mr Paisley during the nine minute call.
The Government spokesperson said the Taoiseach had taken “very swift” action after being made aware of the offence caused by his remarks.
All parties will debate the issue in the Dail tomorrow and it Mr Ahern will certainly make reference to the offending comments.
After a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street today Mr Paisley said he was confident the British and Irish governments remained committed to photographs as part of the deal to restore power-sharing.
He urged the Governments to stand by its proposals for photographic evidence.
The DUP is expected to go ahead with its planned meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern tomorrow, despite the blip in relations.
