Mixed reactions to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's Dáil statement regretting his acceptance of money from friends and businessmen in the 1990s.
In a 15 minute statement to Dáil Éireann the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern admits he regrets accepting money from businessmen and friends in the 1990s.
Recent revelations have shown he took loans totalling £39,000 from friends in Ireland and £8,000 as a gift from businessmen in Manchester in 1993 and 1994.
The Taoiseach apologies for the bewilderment these revelations have caused to the Irish people.
For over an hour, patrons of the Cat and Cage pub in Drumcondra watch the political drama unfold during a live televised broadcast from the Dáil. The verdict is mixed among observers.
One man believes Bertie Ahern was wrong to take the money but refuses to condemn the activity,
At the time he took the money he believed that it was outside his political scope.
Another man thinks the Taoiseach gave a marvellous performance but,
That doesn’t mean I agree with everything he says.
Another patron does not believe the revelations will affect the Taoiseach,
I don’t think the Teflon has slipped at all, I think he is going to retain his position.
A younger man is less forgiving towards the Taoiseach, who as Minister for Finance condemned similar payments,
To apply the same logic I would say there is something wrong.
Aside from the wider political implications, it is clear the television event gripped viewers and the art of political debate is very much alive among the electorate.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 October 2006. The reporter is Gareth O’Connor.
