Adjournment keeps Ahern out of the line of fire

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has avoided potentially embarrassing revelations about his personal finances after the planning tribunal yesterday postponed its public hearings until after polling day in the General Election.

The inquiry was scheduled to begin the second phase of its investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the securing of planning permission for a major shopping centre at Quarryvale (now Liffey Valley) in west Dublin.

Lawyers for the inquiry were due to present a revised opening statement, which was expected to include details about an investigation into the Taoiseach’s personal finances.