Fahey sorry as invites spark election row

FIANNA FÁIL was embroiled in another controversy last night involving accusations of abuse of ministerial office for party political gain in the forthcoming elections.

Junior Minister Frank Fahey admitted he was wrong to use official Department of Enterprise notepaper to invite business people to a Fianna Fáil breakfast. The apology comes after the country's ethics watchdog launched an investigation into Noel Dempsey's distribution of Department of Education confidential briefing notes to his party's local election candidates.

Mr Fahey had invited guests to an event being held for FF MEP Seán Ó Neachtáin's European election campaign where Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be guest speaker. The Labour Party has described the event, to be held in Galway, as a fundraiser.

The letter, obtained by Nuacht TG4, is signed "Frank Fahey TD Minister for Labour Affairs" and states: "The event is being held in support of Sean O'Neachtáin's European Election campaign."

A Department of Enterprise spokesperson said Mr Fahey accepted it was inappropriate to use the headed notepaper and he said he would not do so again. The spokesperson added the paper contains the minister's constituency office contact details and that the letter was sent by his constituency secretary in Galway.

Labour Party director of elections Eamon Gilmore said the TG4 revelations were a "serious development". He added they were just the latest in the growing list of cases where FF ministers have abused their positions for political purposes.

"It appears that there is a systematic and coordinated effort to use departmental facilities in an attempt to give Fianna Fáil candidates a political advantage," he said.

"There is little doubt that ... the event is intended to be a fundraising effort," added Mr Gilmore.

Meanwhile, Mr Dempsey told the Cabinet he received a letter from the Standards In Public Offices commission about his briefing packs and is responding to it.