No stadium is Ahern’s biggest regret

OUTGOING Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has declared the failure to build a national stadium his biggest regret in politics and blamed “small-minded people” for opposing the project.

In a wide-ranging interview yesterday, Mr Ahern also criticised the tribunals, defended Fianna Fáil’s support for developers, and insisted he had never granted any favours in return for personal or political donations.

Mr Ahern also said he had “a lot of friends in politics”, despite the fact many colleagues say he keeps people at arm’s length.