It’s just as well Bertie was never minister for finance in Sweden

THE public opinion poll published last week showing that Fianna Fáil had increased its popularity in the wake of all the revelations about Bertie Ahern’s generous friends reflects the nod-and-wink double standard that afflicts this country.

Our two-faced attitude to standards in public life would make Low Places a desirable address, if the poll is any thing to go by, and it must be taken on its merits just like any other poll.

Incredibly, it showed that while the majority of people who were asked believed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was completely wrong to take the money when he was Minister for Finance, nonetheless he and his party increased their popularity.