Ahern defends decision to attend UN conference

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday defended his decision to go to New York for a UN conference when the Government was facing a crisis over the striking-down of the statutory rape law.

Most Western leaders stayed away from the high-level meeting on HIV/Aids at UN headquarters, instead delegating it to cabinet members.

Asked about the fact he was the only European head of government at the event, Mr Ahern said the trip had been a very short one — from Wednesday afternoon to mid-morning yesterday — and he had kept in constant contact with the Cabinet as the emergency legislation was prepared.