Spring challenge on `the two Marys'

THE Tanaiste, Mr Spring, ha challenged the Fianna Fail leader. Mr Bertie Ahern, to sort out the problem of which of "the two Marys" would be his Tanaiste - the PD leader, Ms Harney, or the deputy Fianna Fail leader, Mr O'Rourke.

He was responding to the PE chide that he was "a spring chicken", dodging a head-to-head TV debate between the two alternative Tanaistes in whichever Coalition combination.

His challenge follows Mr Ahern's backing for Ms Harney in her call for a debate with the Tanaiste.

Mr Spring told The Irish Timed yesterday that never in his political career had he tried to avoid a debate with anybody.

"I think Bertie Ahern has the problem that he has said that Mary Harney is the alternative Tanaiste. As I understand it, Mary O'Rourke has a problem with that. So I think Bertie Ahern should sort out the problem between the two Marys," he stated.

He then offered that if Mr Ahern could not sort out the problem with the two Marys, he would be quite prepared to have a debate with both of them simultaneously.

But if Mr Ahern made his choice, would Mr Spring hold a TV debate with the Mary who would be Tanaiste? Mr Spring responded: "If Bertie Ahern wants to say to the Irish public that right now, irrespective of the numbers the PDs come back with, that Mary Harney is going to be Tanaiste, then I would certainly give it serious consideration."

Ms Harney offered yesterday to take part in a three-way TV debate with Mr Spring and Mr De Rossa.

"If the Tanaiste won't debate with me on his own, I am prepared to allow the Minister for Social Welfare to give him some assistance," she said.