Ahern and McDowell meeting in Belfast

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Michael McDowell are expected to have their first face-to-face meeting today since Mr McDowell…

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Michael McDowell are expected to have their first face-to-face meeting today since Mr McDowell called for clarification on the Taoiseach's finances.

The two men are due to fly to Belfast on the Government jet to attend ceremonies marking the beginning of powersharing in Northern Ireland.

Progressive Democrats deputy leader Liz O'Donnell said the two men would discuss the issues on the fringes of the ceremonies.

Mr McDowell announced on Sunday that his party would not withdraw from the Coalition Government with Fianna Fáil but said the Taoiseach must make a full statement on his financial affairs before the May 24th election.

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Mr McDowell said it had become clear that the information given to him by Mr Ahern had been far from complete.

"During last week I received additional information from a number of sources, which suggest that a picture given by various parties to the tribunal differed markedly from that given by the Taoiseach last autumn", Mr McDowell said in Dublin.

Ms O'Donnell, speaking yesterday, defended Mr McDowell's decision to make a call for clarification without having attempted to speak to him about the issue.

She said Mr McDowell was "obligated" to consult his colleagues in the party about the controversy in the first place. He didn't have time to contact Mr Ahern about the payments issue, in advance of Saturday's discussions with party colleagues, Ms O'Donnell claimed.

"There wasn't an opportunity," she said on RTÉ's News at One."Events were unfolding, and I think the Tánaiste had an obligation to discuss things in the first place with us. I'm sure the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste will have discussions tomorrow."

The election campaign continues today with Fianna Fáil concentrating on job creation. Its morning press conference which will be attended by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin and Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey.

Labour Party Leader Pat Rabbitte will spend today, tomorrow and Thursday campaigning in in counties Cork and Kerry. In Cork today he will highlight Labour's commitment to provide more gardaí on the beat.

Fine Gael will also focus attention on crime, with leader Enda Kenny canvassing in Laois/Offaly and Galway East.

The PDs are focusing their policy on older people with Minister for Health Mary Harney and will unveil a document titled Security and Dignity for Older People.

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent is canvassing in Wicklow and Carlow-Kilkenny. Sinn Féin members are in Stormont for the ceremonies there.