Opposition ‘election vow broken’

FINE Gael last night accused the Taoiseach of back-tracking on his promise to clear up concerns over his personal finances.

The party’s environment spokesman Fergus O’Dowd accused Bertie Ahern of waging a campaign to undermine the tribunal and insisted the actions of his lawyers ran contrary to election promises from Mr Ahern. “Aside from the basis for the Taoiseach’s lawyers’ claims, on which the tribunal will rule on Monday, it is worrying to see a continuing pattern of efforts by the Taoiseach’s lawyers to undermine the work of the tribunal.

“The Taoiseach has always given the impression that he would be accountable to the tribunal and during the election campaign said: ‘I’ve no difficulty giving any of the details or explaining any of these details.’