Ahern and Kenny in long distance war of words

Opposition leader Enda Kenny tonight cranked up political pressure on the Taoiseach to resign, as both leaders traded insults while 8,000 miles apart.

Mr Kenny rejected “liar” claims made against him in South Africa by Mr Ahern and urged Tanaiste Brian Cowen to act immediately to oust the Fianna Fáil leader.

“The Taoiseach should stand down or tell the entire truth about his personal finances,” the Fine Gael TD said.

“Failing that, the Minister for Finance should force the issue. I understand he is in charge of the country now. He seems to be prepared to sit idly by in this the situation. I don’t think it is good enough.

Mr Ahern earlier strongly denied claims the he had misled the Dail and the Irish people about his personal finances.

“The charges by Enda Kenny that I haven’t paid my taxes is just wrong. He know he is telling a bare-faced lie and he is,” he said.

“I have honoured my tax compliance and he is wrong and he knows he is wrong. ”

But speaking to the media outside the Dáil after travelling from Co Mayo, Mr Kenny said: “I am not prepared to descend to that level of name-calling. I have never done that in my 32 years in politics. ”

He added: “Had he paid his taxes when they were due, he would be able to produce a Tax Clearance Certificate.

“Remember there are hundreds of thousands of people in this country who go about their work and have to produce Tax Clearance Certificates whether they be taxi drivers or plasterers or carpenters or plumbers. It seems that there is one law for Bertie Ahern and another law for the people.”

Earlier Labour leader Eamon Gilmore also called on the three-term Taoiseach to step down.

Mr Kenny said: “Inside and outside the Dáil, we will relentlessly pursue this Government for its deceit in what it said to to the Irish people.”

In a strong weekend statement, Mr Kenny called Mr Cowen to force the Taoiseach from his job to end a circus of “fairytale and fantasy” surrounding the premier.

He asked how deputy leader Mr Cowen could sit beside a prime minister who had allegedly not paid his taxes, who had misled the Dáil about his tax affairs and who had refused to correct the record.

“The longer that Mr Ahern denies the truth to the Irish people the greater the damage will be to his political reputation and legacy when he leaves Office as he proposes to do in the time ahead,” he added.

“I make this appeal to the Taoiseach because I believe that the Irish people want an explanation from him which they can believe.

“The Irish people want an end to this charade and they want the Government and the Dáil to focus on the many challenges facing the country as the economy tightens, many public services continue under-performing and crime remains ever present on our streets.”