Fianna Fáil fear fallout from ‘arrogant’ Bertie Ahern evidence

Fianna Fáil figures fear that an “arrogant and unbelievable” Bertie Ahern could do the party real damage with his evidence to the Oireachtas probe into the financial collapse this week.

Mon, 13 Jul, 2015 - 01:00

Shaun Connolly, Political Correspondent

After the party leadership was relieved that a two-day appearance by former taoiseach Brian Cowen before the committee last week went relatively smoothly, Mr Ahern’s performance this Thursday is proving a cause for anxiety.

One senior figure said Mr Ahern was unpredictable and could inflict further damage on the party’s image with a general election just months away.

“If he starts saying that everything was fine under his leadership, and all was rosy when he left office, as is being suggested, then I don’t think anyone will believe him, and it will do Fianna Fail damage,” said the party source.

“He should take a leaf out of Brian Cowen’s book and take a more balanced look back at what happened; even though Brian was criticised for some of his evidence, I think he showed the way to go.

“It remains to be seen how ‘The Bert’ will handle it.”

A Fianna Fáil TD said feared that Mr Ahern’s arrogance could get the better of him.

“If he goes in their arrogant and cocky and insisting that everything was just fine under him and it was all the Leman Brothers collapse that caused everything to go under, then Fianna Fáil has a problem,” the TD said.

Mr Cowen admitted mistakes while in office, but insisted that the bank guarantee of September 2008 was unavoidable and the “least worst” option.

The former taoiseach raised eyebrows, however, when he insisted that Anglo was never discussed at a golf outing he enjoyed with three of the banks’ senior figures in the lead-up to the guarantee.

Mr Cowen also said he did not overrule then finance minister Brian Lenihan on the night of the guarantee about nationalising Anglo.

Mr Ahern will be the last major political figure in power during the crash era to give evidence to the inquiry, though Taoiseach Enda Kenny will also be quizzed by the committee.