Ahern targets election victory in key-note speech

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern used his key note address to the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis to launch a presidential-style general election campaign dominated by his personality and reputation for economic competence.

Boosted by a string of positive opinion polls and a reception at the Dublin gathering which touched on the rapturous, Mr Ahern moved to put the turmoil of the last two months behind him and target a third straight Dáil victory.

The Taoiseach gave a carefully worded thank you to the mass of Fianna Fáil supporters who stood by him as his premiership was engulfed in controversy.