Taoiseach dismisses claims of secret deal

BERTIE AHERN last night dismissed claims he has a secret deal with the Greens to quit as Taoiseach if the Mahon corruption probe finds he took “bribes”.

The row over Mr Ahern’s evidence to the inquiry again dominated the Dáil as the Taoiseach threatened he could accuse Fine Gael of financial wrongdoing if he chose to.

The heated exchanges with Enda Kenny erupted as the Fine Gael leader demanded to know if reports of a coalition “exit pact” with the Greens were true.