Ahern denies election 'nixers' for Fianna Fáil
The Taoiseach tonight denied that government workers are doing nixers for Fianna Fáil by preparing the party’s policy documents.
As speculation on a general election date mounted in the Dáil, opposition leader Enda Kenny claimed Fianna Fáil proposals on the economy were written within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
’Keeping Ireland Working – the Next Steps Forward’ was circulated by email before a press conference in the Shelbourne Hotel on April 16 by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen and Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin.
Mr Kenny told the Dáil that the use of official facilities for party political purposes was strictly forbidden in a code of conduct by the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo).
“Does the Taoiseach believe it is proper that the State does nixers for Fianna Fáil and how much did this nixer cost the taxpayer?”
He asked: “Is it now the case that Fianna Fáil is utterly incapable of distinguishing the people’s money from the party’s money?
“Taxpayers not only pay the price for this Government’s failures but they also pay for its election propaganda.”
However the Taoiseach said that under legislation, a political advisor is allowed to do party political work in addition to public work.
Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt added later: “Enda Kenny has again thrown out an accusation without bothering to check his facts, wasting Dáil time because of his obsession with attack politics."
Some observers believe the Taoiseach could dissolve the Dáil tomorrow or Thursday and call an election for May 17.
The Fianna Fáil leader is in Co Monaghan on Thursday and is due to attend a national executive meeting of his party in Leinster House that evening.
He will hit the canvass trail in Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford on Friday.
