Taoiseach faces further pressure

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is facing further pressure after it emerged that he received a payment of €11,800 for a speech to Irish businessmen in Manchester in 1994, while serving as Finance Minister.

Mr Ahern said the money was lodged in his personal bank account and he believed he broke no tax or ethical rules, however Progressive Democrats leader and deputy premier Michael McDowell said that he was not satisfied with Mr Aherns explanation of how he was paid the money.

Mr McDowell said: "On the account given by the Taoiseach about a visit to Manchester, there are a number of aspects of that which I think need to be clarified now."

He added that Mr Ahern must clarify the Manchester payment during a meeting in the Dail to discuss the issue next week.

These latest revelations pose a threat to the Taoiseach as he aims for a third term as leader of the Irish government.

Commenting on this, Mr Ahern said that the Manchester function was embarked upon as personal business.

He said: "So, no official script, not an official function, not in my capacity as minister, paid my own way, spoke at the function and on one occasion the assembled group of about 25 plus a group that was with me from Ireland gave me the sum of money that I mentioned,"

Opposition leader Enda Kenny warned that Mr Ahern may have to resign if the matter is not resolved.

The matter of the payment arose on Tuesday after an Irish newspaper published details of financial records supplied by Mr Ahern to the Mahon Tribunal, which unveiled details of an unpaid loan of €50,000 which Mr Ahern claims to have received from 12 friends to fund his marital separation in the early 1990s.

Irish Labour leader Pat Rabbitte today said that the deepening crisis was now impacting heavily on the Government.

(EF/SP)