Bertie checked out Burke before he joined Cabinet

THE FLOOD Tribunal’s damning verdict on Ray Burke again raises questions about Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s judgement in choosing one of his key lieutenants.

Mr Ahern yesterday conceded he regretted appointing the former North Dublin TD as Foreign Affairs Minister in his first Government in June 1997. But he also warned against too much hindsight being deployed in assessing the situation.

Mr Ahern said he had acted at all times on the basis of information in possession. He said that when he examined allegations of corruption made prior to Mr Burke’s appointment, he did not have the benefit of forensic legal and accountancy powers available to Mr Justice Flood.