Dáil rows over 'socialist' Ahern

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was tonight asked to prove his socialist credentials, having claimed he was one of the last remaining true socialists in Irish politics.

To roars of laughter and heckling in the Dáil, Mr Ahern stood by his assertions, declaring that Fianna Fail represented the most left-wing government Ireland had seen in recent years.