Ahern's career now on the line

THE breathing space given to P. J. Mara to consider his role as director of Fianna Fáil's Nice Treaty campaign is symptomatic of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's congenital inability to do the obvious when confronted with a dilemma.

Mr Mara was one of 18 individuals who failed to co-operate with the Flood Tribunal and he also failed to reveal an offshore account he owned. He was economical with the truth while under an oath requiring that he reveal all his financial affairs.

Mr Mara should have had the grace to resign from leading the Fianna Fáil Yes campaign within an hour of the interim Tribunal report going public.