Noisy scenes as Ahern refuses to answer Dail questions

The Taoiseach’s refusal to answer questions from the opposition about the Ray Burke corruption scandal has led to noisy scenes in the Dail.

Speaking during a debate on the interim findings of the Flood Tribunal, the Labour Party’s Brendan Howlin accused Bertie Ahern of political cowardice for refusing to answer questions.

However, Mr Ahern said he is not obliged to do so because he was not criticised in the Flood Tribunal report.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said public interest in the corruption scandal is so high that the Taoiseach and his ministers should have the decency to answer all questions put to them.

Mr Kenny said the Flood report “is not just about Mr Ray Burke, but is about the judgement, the leadership and the action of the Taoiseach in his appointment in the first place”.