‘Politically, a dead man walking’
Mr Ahern failed to tell the truth last autumn, deceived both Tánaiste Michael McDowell and the Irish people in the process, and was facing the consequences, according to Mr Sargent.
“The Taoiseach’s deceptions have put his own party in a very weak position and has made it very difficult for any party to do business with him. Politically, he is a dead man walking,” Mr Sargent said.
“There must be many PD and Fianna Fáil supporters around the country who feel bitterly let down by the sordid saga of Bertiegate, and the whiff of political sleaze that again surrounds the Government.”
But Mr Sargent also rounded on Mr McDowell, claiming the Tánaiste had made “a fool of himself” by issuing a statement that was “belated, gutless and lacking in credibility”.
“McDowell says he discovered this week that he had been misled. Everyone else knew that he — and the Irish people — had been deceived last autumn. If McDowell has new information, he must serve the public interest by putting it into the public domain. Failing to do so would be utterly hypocritical.”
He said that the PDs were a “redundant package” because of their failure to pull out of Government, despite claiming to be Fianna Fáil’s “moral watchdog”.
“Even though the PDs have backed down again, this administration is finished. I look forward to changing the Government.”
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said it was “imperative” that the Taoiseach “come clean” and “set the record straight immediately”.
“I would urge the Taoiseach to make a full statement on the matter, so that the general election can concentrate on the other pressing matters which face this country … including the crisis in our hospitals and the inadequate infrastructure within this state.”
He also accused Mr McDowell of “complete and utter cynicism”, saying: “Nobody is taken in by today’s posturing by Minister McDowell. His belated intervention is purely an electoral consideration.”
