The $45,000 question: can Ahern last a third term?

THE ability of Bertie Ahern to last an unprecedented third full term as Taoiseach may very well hinge on what could now be termed “the $45,000 question”.

Having successfully overcome concerns about his personal finances in the court of public opinion — as evident by his party’s resounding success in last week’s general election — the issue nevertheless remains a possible stumbling block for the Fianna Fáil leader.

In private, potential coalition partners, including the Progressive Democrats and the Greens, still harbour a certain unease about the matter, although most representatives of the two parties who are publicly asked to comment declare they are happy to leave it to the tribunal to investigate.