Mahon Tribunal – Ahern must set record straight

NOT noted for giving straight answers to straight questions, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today has an opportunity to put the record straight when he takes the stand at the Mahon Tribunal.

Mr Ahern is uniquely placed to clear the air on the controversy surrounding the identity of ministers who attended a meeting in Leinster House in 1989 with British-based developer Tom Gilmartin.

Following Senator Mary O’Rourke’s unequivocal and damning evidence to the tribunal it is beyond dispute that the meeting took place. The term ‘alleged’ can be safely dropped.

Despite her clear recollection that most members of the Cabinet of the day were present, they astonishingly continue to deny being there at all or have no recollection whatsoever of the meeting.

Ms O’Rourke has shot holes in the collective amnesia/denial scenario. She puts Mr Ahern firmly in the room during the meeting with senior Fianna Fáil ministers and then Taoiseach Charles J Haughey, who was too ill to give a statement to the tribunal.

It was outrageous that Ms O’Rourke should be accused of being motivated by “post-Westmeath-losing-of-a-seat syndrome”. It typifie the street fighting tactics of ex-deputy Liam Lawlor, who later apologised claiming the comment was more applicable to the political arena than the tribunal.

There will be intense public interest in the evidence of Mr Ahern, who finds himself in an embarrassing dilemma. He may not recollect the Gilmartin gathering but the unflinching clarity of Ms O’Rourke’s evidence should at least bring him to admit the meeting took place.

It is time to come clean.