FG calls on Ahern to resign over Burke affair

THERE were calls for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to resign last night after he refused to bow to opposition demands for a detailed debate over his decision to appoint Ray Burke to Cabinet.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said if Mr Ahern continued to dodge critical questions over the appointment, he should consider his position. But Mr Ahern insisted he will make a detailed statement in the Dáil today in response to all relevant questions. But he ruled out an open debate on the matter and said there was no precedent for handling a tribunal report in this manner. In a stormy day at Leinster House, there were bitter exchanges over whether there should be an open-ended debate on the fallout from the Flood report. Mr Kenny said in most other democracies the Taoiseach would have resigned by now given the welter of allegations and doubts over his conduct.

“It is my opinion that if he fails to answer all the critical questions, fully and completely, he should consider his position and step down as Taoiseach,” Mr Kenny said.