Taoiseach defends handling of mini-shuffle

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday robustly defended his handling of the mini-reshuffle controversy, saying the long delay was unavoidable.

He also dismissed the suggestion that those close to him congratulated Sean Haughey beforehand.

Mr Ahern told the Irish Examiner the political fall-out was unfortunate but was unapologetic about the way in which he chose to fill the vacancy left by Ivor Callely.