Cash questions continue to cloud Ahern's election push

The Taoiseach’s financial affairs tonight continued to cloud Fianna Fáil's general election campaign after the issue earlier overshadowed his manifesto launch.

Bertie Ahern unveiled the 150-page blueprint in Dublin's Mansion House, flanked by Cabinet members and before scores of media and party supporters.

However, dramatic exchanges with veteran broadcaster Vincent Browne dominated the gala event as Mr Ahern deflected questions on controversies dogging his campaign.

He reiterated that he would deal in the Mahon Tribunal with a £30,000 payment his ex-partner Celia Larkin received from a Manchester businessman in 1994 to revamp his rented house.

He said: “Nobody wants all these issues resolved more than me…People know that I have always been interested in public service and not private gain."

To loud applause from supporters he told Mr Browne: “I trust that people will see through the politics of this, and there is nothing in the politics of this that I’m guilty of.”

However RTE broadcaster Browne replied during the 11-minute exchanges: “Twenty years ago at Fianna Fáil press conferences, we attempted to press the then leader of Fianna Fáil [Charles Haughey] on his financial affairs and we were obstructed from doing so again in 1989. I hope that Fianna Fáil has changed and we won’t be obstructed in doing so now.”

The manifesto pledged to abolish stamp duty for first-time buyers – a move which has been derided as a massive U-turn by Opposition parties.

Mr Ahern said stamp duty would be abolished on all purchases dating back to April 30 if Fianna Fáil is re-elected.

’The Next Steps Forward’ document was launched in the historic Round Room in the Mansion House – where the first Dáil convened in 1919 – and was picketed by 100 striking nurses.

The party also reiterated pledges to lower taxes, recruit 4,000 extra teachers and 2,000 extra gardaí, create new nationwide injury clinics and fully implement the National Development Plan.

The manifesto also contains proposals on a national sports museum, local authority swimming pools, retirement villages, playgrounds for offshore islands, a new Aosdána-type organisation for traditional musicians and the scrapping of all cross-border telephone and bank charges.

Earlier Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny pledged to increase the mental health budget by €251m a year over the lifetime of the next government.

He also promised to double the budget for suicide prevention from €5m to €10m.

Launching his 11-point 'Fair Society' manifesto, leader Pat Rabbitte said he was committed to reforming the tax system to make it fairer and more family-friendly.

He reiterated plans to reduce the standard rate of tax, reform stamp duty and to improve the position of single-income families.

“We will maintain fiscal discipline and work to restore competitiveness in the Irish economy,” said Mr Rabbitte. “But economic success alone is not the full measure of our progress."

Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell said maintaining the flow of high-quality jobs into Ireland would the top priority of any new government he helps form.

He pledged to invest €8bn in science, technology and innovation, and make the necessary investment in infrastructure.

“We will ask the IDA to treat the Greater Dublin commuter belt as a single region, and further cut red tape for businesses,” he added.

The Greens called for householders to cut carbon emissions, on the eve of the third report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Speaking from a solar panel on a Dublin rooftop, Mr Sargent said: "People can do their own bit at home but a Green Government will make it easier by investing in new, cleaner technologies and setting regulations which promote greater energy efficiency."

He called for increased use of solar water heaters, insulation of attics and walls and for motorists to switch from cars to public transport.

Kick-starting the campaigns of his 17 Dublin candidates, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said he wanted to see party TDs at the Cabinet table taking decisions to transform housing, healthcare, education and transport services.

Mr Adams also called for the area around the GPO to be designated a historical quarter in preparation for the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.