Taoiseach denies secret deal with SF

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday denied for the second day running that Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have a secret “cosy deal” in place for the 2007 elections.

In his second substantial remarks in as many days on the matter, Mr Ahern went to considerable lengths yesterday to reject the contention which gained new momentum at the Fine Gael Árd Fheis last weekend.

He said that Sinn Féin's fiscal, economic and European policies were so at variance with those of his party that they would be incompatible coalition parties.