Gilmore urges Taoiseach to quit

The Labour Party Leader has renewed his call for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to step aside in the interest of the country saying his continued tenure is "a national embarrassment".

Speaking ahead of his party’s one day conference at the Mansion House today, Mr Gilmore urged Mr Ahern to do the honourable thing after he makes his address to the American House of Representatives in April.

He said that if Mr Ahern is unwilling to step aside Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowan should go to him and "tell him the reality of the situation".

Mr Gilmore is hosting a conference today of Labour councillors to discuss strategy in the run up to the local and European elections next year.