FG: Taoiseach soft on ethics

Fine Gael has accused the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, of being soft on ethics after he spent today on the campaign trail in Co Mayo with Padraig Flynn.

The pair were campaigning on behalf of Mr Flynn’s daughter Beverly Cooper-Flynn.

Fine Gael’s Charlie Flanagan slammed Mr Ahern’s decision to appear alongside Mr Flynn, who was accused of corruption by property developer Tom Gilmartin.

“He tells us that he has dealt with the sleaze factor,” Mr Flanagan said, “that it is the intention of himself and his new Fianna Fail to rid themselves of the past.

Nevertheless, if there’s a vote in a photo opportunity with a former minister, over which there is something of a question mark, then the Taoiseach sees no problem.”