Ahern urged to say ministers coke-free

A PROMINENT Fine Gael front bench spokesman last night called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to confirm that none of his ministers have abused cocaine, despite an RTÉ decision not to air the claim.

Simon Coveney, a deputy for Cork South Central, said the issue was an important one; that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s job was to impose standards and he should put an end to speculation once and for all.

The claim was made by author Justine Delaney Wilson who said that a minister had admitted to her that he regularly took cocaine.

The claim was included in her book but was not repeated when the first part of a two-part documentary, High Society, was screened Thursday night.

Ms Delaney Wilson, who is also the presenter, has attracted scepticism from politicians over her claims.

She quoted a minister whom she says she met in Buswells Hotel in Dublin as saying: “Yes, I do take drugs — just coke though — regularly enough. I’m certainly not the only one around here (the Dáil) that does.”

But in the RTÉ documentary he is simply referred to as “‘Robert”’, a politician.

RTÉ yesterday stood over its decision not to describe the politician as a minister. In a statement it said people across a range of professions were featured.

It said the lack of specificity was because of an agreed position to protect individual identities.

The statement continued that RTÉ had access to the body of material gathered by Ms Delaney Wilson, including listening to taped interview material.

But it refused to confirm if it listened to the testimony from “Robert”, or confirmed his identity to its satisfaction. “RTÉ will not comment on the material listened to nor engage in any other commentary which could impinge on the agreements undertaken by the author and her subjects and by RTÉ, the author and the producers.

The programme used the very unusual format of using actors to recreate all the interviewees. No actual cocaine user appeared on screen.

Asked could it stand over the authenticity of the testimonies given that they are entirely anonymous, RTÉ replied:

“We are satisfied with the assurances of the production company as to the credibility and the reliability of the sources used in this two-part programme.”

It said full legal undertakings were also provided by the author.

Last night Mr Coveney said: “Now that the national broadcaster and a reputable publisher are standing over the quote, it is incumbent on Bertie Ahern to clear up the issue.

“It’s a running joke on the corridors of Leinster House: which minister is the cocaine user. Mr Ahern needs to sort it out.”