FG pressures Ahern over school building scandal

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has demanded that the Taoiseach reveal the extent of his knowledge about alleged manipulation of school building projects by former Education Minister Michael Woods.

Reports this morning said Fine Gael had uncovered documentation showing that the minister directed officials to put a misleading spin on information released by the Department of Education's primary building unit.

The documents - released under the Freedom of Information Act - also showed that Mr Woods wanted the building unit to avoid using negative language when communicating with schools about their projects.

He apparently approved more projects than could be afforded and made decisions on an ad hoc basis without consulting the building unit.

Mr Kenny said the documents highlight a misuse of power by the Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats coalition in the run up to last year's general election.

He has called on Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern to say categorically if he knew what was going on, if he authorised or endorsed it.

He asked was it part of Fianna Fail's pre-election strategy and did similar things happen in other departments.

The Fine Gael leader said the revelations also reflect badly on the PDs, who had described themselves as a mudguard for Fianna Fail.

"The information reveals a catalogue of incidents in which it is clear that the multi-million euro primary school building programme was being used to maximise political gain," Mr Kenny said.

"The electoral needs of politicians were put before the physical needs of primary school children."