Bertie’s cop-out

IN response to the claim that his new salary would exceed that of the leaders of France, Britain and the US, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said, “I’m glad I don’t own Chequers and I don’t have No 10. I don’t have the Élysée Palace. If you want to build those in, then you would know what the figures would be, and I certainly don’t want the White House.” (RTÉ, Six One News, October 26.)

Only the truly ignorant would suggest these leaders actually own the buildings where they work and that such ownership adds substantially to their wealth.

Only a truly gullible people would accept such a sneering and arrogant excuse from their prime minister.