Cowen "must answer questions on Bertie revelations"

Fine Gael TD Phil Hogan says the Tánaiste, Brian Cowen, will have to answer serious questions in the Dáil today about the Taoiseach's woes at the Mahon Tribunal.

The opposition is vowing to put intense pressure on the Government following the latest revelations to emerge from the tribunal last week.

In the absence of Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen will face questions about the £30,000 loan Celia Larkin received from a Fianna Fáil fund in 1993 and only repaid in recent weeks.

Fine Gael TD Phil Hogan says Mr Cowen can no longer avoid answering questions on the matter.

"Whether he likes it or not, he's going to have to answer questions and be accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas," Mr Hogan says.

"That's what people have elected the Government to do."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald says the Taoiseach has promised to explain everything to the tribunal, but it is becoming clear that he has no explanation.

"We would say to the Taoiseach that, either he needs to give his explanation now, if he has one, or if he doesn't, at this stage really his position is untenable."