Controversy has 'compromised' Ahern - Higgins

Socialist Party:Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins says Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is "compromised" by links to landlords and property developers.

While Mr Higgins declined to comment in any detail on the controversy over the Taoiseach's former house rental arrangements, he said: "I think it is the same thing that came to light last autumn."

Launching a Socialist Party policy on the need for additional schools and social supports in the greater Dublin area, Mr Higgins said the current controversy was an example of "senior politicians and establishment parties, in this case Fianna Fáil, receiving massive funding from business interests.

"It is entirely wrong, absolutely wrong. Of course it fundamentally compromises politicians and . . . it compromises the decisions and the policies of the parties".

Mr Higgins said the population of the east coast had been allowed to "explode" without provision for adequate infrastructure.

Mr Higgins called on the Taoiseach to establish immediately an "emergency response unit to provide places for all children in their local schools this September. This will require urgent and flexible action to provide the necessary places.

"This must then be followed by planning for the 2008 school year, when children and their parents must not be forced to go through the same anxiety as in previous years".

Socialist candidate in Dublin North Clare Daly said the party had an "excellent chance of getting a seat in Dublin North". She said "hand on heart" the current controversy over the Taoiseach's finances was raised at nearly every door.

In addition to Ms Daly and Mr Higgins, the party is also running councillors Mick Murphy in Dublin South West and Mick Barry in Cork North Central.

Party director of elections Kevin McLoughlin said both had been poll toppers in the local elections and so the party tally of Dáil seats after the election "may not be just a question of one or two".