Cowen backs Taoiseach

[Maximus]

Statement by Brian Cowen TD, Minister for Finance and Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil

What we have seen in recent weeks is a deliberate attempt to damage the Taoiseach through the selective and ongoing leak of information which has been given to the Tribunal. The objective has not been to answer questions but to raise them and to do so in the most negative way possible. No reasonable person could believe that those involved in this selective leaking have been seeking to provide a fair or comprehensive picture.

There has been ongoing, partial leaking of material which was given in good faith in order to establish the complete untruth of allegations dealing with entirely separate matters.

The Taoiseach’s position has been a very consistent one. There is only one fair and comprehensive means of dealing with these issues, and that is in the place established by the Oireachtas, the Mahon Tribunal itself.

The selective publication and broadcast of this information is both wrong and at its core denies the people a full and accurate picture.

However, the reality is that the impact has been such that the Taoiseach believes he should make a complete response concerning his house in advance of the Tribunal hearing. He accepts that the Tribunal has asked everyone to keep their information and statements for their hearings, but agreeing to this delay would allow the current situation to continue. This would be unfair to the Taoiseach and to the Irish people who are being denied a debate about the future of their country in this election campaign.

In order to prepare the response, the Taoiseach will ask his legal advisers to bring together all relevant information.

In the face of a systematic and resolute effort to damage the Taoiseach we intend to keep our focus on the future of this country. Ireland has come a long way under the leadership of Bertie Ahern and we have a comprehensive and ambitious plan for helping us to take the next steps forward. The people deserve an honest debate about the real issues and we are determined to give it to them.

[Kev408]

For the record I hope Ahern is found to be innocent of any wrong-doing. I like him as a person and would be bitterly disappointed if he's found to be corrupt.

[The Trinity Politick]

About time we got a bloody statement and got on with the campaign. Ahern let this get to where it is. He could and should have answered all the questions on day one , instead he went silent for 2 days on the matter.

its not a a matter simply for the tribunal , its a matter for the Irish people who elect him. FF made this a presidential campaign. If so, the "president" should tell us the truth in a complete and open way

[Kev408]

About time we got a bloody statement and got on with the campaign.

Agreed. Me poor Ma's heart will be broken if Bertie turns out to be corrupt!

[Blackadder]

Maximus, Great to see you back. If you could take some time out and answer the following questions because frankly I am intrigued.
What is your take on Bertie Ahern taking money that was meant for FF and spending it on his own personnal difficulties?

Do you accept that the 30k STG received by Ahern was not for the house purchase as it Ahern received it 7 months before the house was bought?


Do you accept that it is odd that 28k lodged into a bank account on one particlar day was worth exactly 45,000 US Dollars?

Is it odd that Ahern paying 450 IR pounds to Wall was actually worth less than Mr. Walls own mortgage payments, thus he was making a loss on his investment?

Is it odd that the house was left to Ahern by Mr Wall in his will?

Is it concerning that the Taoiseach Lied to the public when he said back in october "my money was gone" and now we know that he had 50k from his own savings and 30k from Mr Wall?

What do you think of the PD's request for a full public statement on the issue?

Do you agree that it is now odd that Ahern was seeking a court injunction to stop the Tribunal investigating the purchase of his house last October, and was he trying to cover his own back by doing so, and trying to mislead the public?

And just a specific question, do you have confidence in Ahern Yes or NO?

Please don't give a muddled answers I think we have had enough of them in the last 24 hours

http://www.politics.ie/viewtopic.php?t= ... sc&start=0

[The Trinity Politick]

About time we got a bloody statement and got on with the campaign.

Agreed. Me poor Ma's heart will be broken if Bertie turns out to be corrupt!

Mine too incidentally

[Fine Gael for government]

In fairness nobody ever wants a politician to be corrupt. The damage that would be caused is immense.

What I find puzzling is the way FFers have no qualms supporting Ahern despite the failure to clarify important questions. Do they know something the rest of us don't or is it just a case of party first?

[CookieMonster]

[quote=The Trinity Politick]

About time we got a bloody statement and got on with the campaign.

Agreed. Me poor Ma's heart will be broken if Bertie turns out to be corrupt!

Mine too incidentally[/quote:146laxry]

Mine is salavating at the prospect of him being turfed out on his ear!

[Universal_001]

Perhaps this should read "Cowen hangs himself"?

[L'Chaim]

I always find that when the next in line publicly shows support for a leader in trouble, that person who is next in line is also usually first in line to swing the hatchet