Fianna Fail/Sinn Fein?
The PD’s are pondering their association with Fianna Fail and Bertie Ahern over his non-disclosure of financial dealings which have become a major issue in the run up to the General Election.
Michael McDowell, leader of the Progressive Democrats, is revisiting this matter again after seemingly convinced last year by Bertie that all was proper. In meetings held tonight the PD’s discussed their future in the coalition and decided to consult the Party as a whole before committing to any conclusive actions.
Trevor Sargent was the first to call for clarification and so now has Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein, who asked that Mr. Ahern settle this issue "in the national interest". Enda "Can he?" Kenny of Fine Gael is staying non-committal on the subject, while Pat Rabbitte of Labour, when asked about the PD’s emergency meeting said, "Michael McDowells’ head is stuck so far up Bertie’s anorak that it hardly matters at this point."
Bertie is running out of options, as a last desperate attempt to save his seat in government we may actually get Truth and Honesty; but, I am not holding my breath. In typical Bertie delocution he is quoted as saying, "Many people rent houses, buy houses, they buy houses abroad, summer houses, holiday homes and caravans. No tribunal is asking them about it." Is he that out of touch with the reality of the situation?
On Tuesday the 8th of May the restoration of the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly will commence and among the invited guests is U.S. Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy. It will be one of the highlights of the year and to be sure Bertie Ahern will score some political points because of his involvement. Since he participated in negotiations facilitating Sinn Fein’s presence in the Northern government, would he consider exchanging the two-percent PD’s with the eight-percent Sinn Fein in the Republic? making it an All-Island sweep in the one year?
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