Kenny slams McDowell for 'secret deal' on Ahern payments

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny has accused the Tánaiste Michael McDowell of doing a "secret deal" with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern regarding the payments he received in the 1990s.

Deputy Kenny describes the Taoiseach's planned address to the Dáil next week as one of the most important events in our democracy in the past ten years.

He said that Minister McDowell did a "secret deal" with Mr Ahern to escape responsibility for accepting three separate amounts of money in the 90s.

The third payment he refers to is what has become known as the 'Manchester Payment', in which the Taoiseach received STG£8,000 for addressing a function.

Deputy Kenny also claimed that the Taoiseach was guilty of double standards, since he would not accept a money-raiser function in Dublin, but "saw fit to accept the same" in Manchester.