‘It was not something I asked for. It was a surprise’

THE following are comments taken from an interview with Bertie Ahern in Cavan yesterday.

Ahern: I am very glad to clarify this matter. I mention it in the TV interview because I wanted to give completeness. I am a regular visitor to Manchester. I have always been very involved with the Irish community.

I did a business dinner over there. It’s ad hoc but it’s a group of Irish business people. I speak about what’s going on in Ireland.