Taoiseach denies O'Keeffe push

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has denied suggestions that he forced Junior Agriculture Minister Ned O'Keeffe to resign from his post.

While announcing on Saturday evening that he was to step down, the former Minister claimed that the Taoiseach had reneged on a pre-Christmas deal to have him transferred.

However, Mr Ahern reiterated his opinion last night that Deputy O'Keeffe was not put under any pressure at all.

The Cork Deputy resigned after he became the subject of an investigation into a breach of ethics legislation.

He was accused of failing to declare a conflict of interest during a Dáil debate on a subject which he later voted against.