A FIANNA Fáil Minister has queried if Bertie Ahern's interview with Bryan Dobson on RTÉ in September 2006 was the best course of action for him to take, given the new information that has emerged from the Mahon tribunal since then, writes Harry McGee,Political Staff
John McGuinness, Minister of State for Trade and Commerce, also accepted that tribunal disclosures were having an effect on the party and were a cause of concern.
Speaking on Newstalk's Lunchtime programme yesterday, Mr McGuinness said: "It's always a judgment call as to whether you'll do something at the beginning, the middle or the end of a contribution to a court case or a tribunal.
"Sometimes you are better to hold your peace and to say nothing, and maybe that might have been a better course to take in this instance."
He agreed the controversy over Mr Ahern was having an effect on Fianna Fáil. "No political party would like to see its leader pulled around like this, in these sorts of circumstances."
Mr McGuinness's comments came as a number of Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators privately expressed concern that new evidence about sterling lodgements would have damaging implications for the party.
Reacting to evidence of the Taoiseach's former constituency secretary Gráinne Carruth, the responses of the Fianna Fáil members - who spoke on the condition of anonymity - ranged from "deeply damaging" to "worrying". However, this group were a minority of over 20 TDs and Senators contacted by The Irish Times. The majority expressed confidence in Mr Ahern.
Green Party chairman Senator Dan Boyle also expressed concern, despite his party's insistence that it will await the report of the Mahon tribunal before reaching conclusions.
Asked about Ms Carruth's evidence, he said: "The evidence that has been given - in the context of what has been given - is something that causes concern and something that will need to be further explained," he said.
One senior Fianna Fáil TD said: "Ms Carruth's evidence did not come across well for [ Mr Ahern]. The impression was a sad one, that she was left hanging out to dry."
A Senator said: "It's worrying to say the least. He has got himself into a lot of difficulties and I cannot see how he can easily escape from it."
A long-serving TD said Ms Carruth's ordeal in the witness box had been "terrible". "She was just walked down the plank . . . I sincerely believe that Bertie should be gone after his address to the US Congress".