Taoiseach bets old money on new government

The Taoiseach and his Minister for Finance spent their last punts betting on themselves yesterday. But they weren't saying when they'd be collecting their winnings - if of course they win.

Marking the end of the euro changeover, Messrs Ahern and McCreevy used up the end of their "old money" on a 7/2 bet on Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats forming the next Government. They declined to comment on why they weren't going all out for a 14/1 bet on Fianna Fáil getting an overall majority.

The pair of political punters put £1 on Bertie Ahern to be the next Taoiseach at 2 to 5 with Paddy Power bookmakers.

Gathering confidence, they then decided to bet £100 on the current coalition partners retaining their form into and after the next general election.

The Taoiseach said, however, he would not be risking his money, new or old, on the 1000/1 odds on offer for jailed TD Liam Lawlor to be the next Taoiseach.

"Anyone considering that," he said, "is very brave."

The ease with the Irish had taken to the new currency had been a "credit to everyone" he said, and it did not show any lack of attachment to our sovereignty. "No, it shows how we feel we are Europeans and are willing to pool and share our sovereignty," he said.

The Taoiseach and his Minister, however, were hedging their bets when asked when they thought they'd be back to collect their hoped-for winnings.

"Oh summer 2002," smiled. Mr McCreevy. "We're still saying summer 2002 aren't we?"

Among the other bets on offer from Paddy Power are 7/4 that the leader of the Opposition, Mr Michael Noonan, will become the next Taoiseach, or 33/1 for it to be Mr Ruairí Quinn.