Outspoken FF TD says Taoiseach has compromised himself

An outspoken Fianna Fáil backbencher has said he believes the Taoiseach has caused himself real damage as a result of the payments be received from businessmen in the early 1990s.

Carlow-Kilkenny TD MJ Nolan said today that Mr Ahern had compromised his position by not making a real effort to repay the money.

"It doesn't reflect well on a minister of Government to seem to be compromised by anybody," he said.

"In this case, the fact that they [the donors] were very close personal friends would dilute that particular compromise, but at the same time, it's not in anybody's interest that a member of government should be beholden to anybody."