Kenny expected to launch strong attack on Taoiseach
Prior to the election, Fine Gael was cautious about attacking the Taoiseach for fear of being accused of negative campaigning by voters.
That stance changed after the election, but Mr Kenny still left it to one of his senators, Eugene Regan, to act as principal party spokesman on the Taoiseach’s tribunal difficulties.
This will change today, however, with Mr Kenny issuing a detailed three-page statement which is expected to criticise both Mr Ahern’s evidence to the tribunal as well as the Taoiseach’s inability to obtain a tax clearance certificate from the Revenue Commissioners.
Mr Kenny has been away on holiday but his party has been carefully laying the groundwork for the statement with Fine Gael front bench members criticising a series of Fianna Fáil ministers for defending the Taoiseach and attacking the tribunal.
Fine Gael also singled out Fianna Fáil’s Government partners, the Green Party and the PDs, for criticism.
The latest attack yesterday saw party health spokesman Dr James Reilly criticise Health Minister and PD leader Mary Harney.
“The continuing silence from Health Minister Mary Harney on the Taoiseach’s incredible statements regarding his financial affairs shows how redundant she is in Cabinet and how irrelevant the PDs now are,” said Dr Reilly.
“The PDs were founded, in part, in reaction to the low standards of Charles Haughey, which have since been exposed by the McCracken and Moriarty tribunals. It is now clear that they are blind to the low standards perpetuated by his successor and protege, Bertie Ahern.”
It is unusual for politicians, especially party leaders, to issue significant statements on a Saturday.
However, it is believed Mr Kenny’s statement has been carefully timed in an attempt to ensure he gets in his attack on the Taoiseach before Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who is scheduled to give his first significant interview of the new year to RTÉ Radio tomorrow.
