Fianna Fáil at the doorsteps for local elections

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that it will be a tough local election campaign next year, and Fianna Fáil candidates are already out on doorsteps.

Mr Ahern was speaking last night at the Cáirde Fáil annual dinner in Citywest Dublin.

He added that European countries are now looking to Ireland to see how an economy should be managed and how progress can be made.

He said that, as a country, we should be proud when we hold the presidency next year.