Ahern defeats no confidence motion

A motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was defeated by 81 votes to 76 in the Dáil tonight.

Fine Gael had earlier lodged the motion, claiming Mr Ahern was wrong to have accepted large sums of money in the early 1990s while minister for finance and that he had not fully co-operated with the Mahon tribunal.

But the Taoiseach defended himself against accusations of wrongdoing by Opposition parties, insisting certain allegations against him were groundless and that he had told the truth to the tribunal.

Mr Ahern read a lengthy statement into the Dáil record at the start of a debate, which began at 5pm.

The tribunal has been investigating four bank lodgements to AIB O'Connell Street, Dublin, totalling over £84,000 in 1994 and 1995. All of the lodgements were preceded by foreign exchange transactions.

The Taoiseach told the House that there was no basis for an allegation that a lodgment made in December 1994 $45,000, as claimed by the tribunal, and not sterling as Mr Ahern insists.

Mr Ahern pointed out that it could have been argued that the lodgment was equal to 71.5 million Italian lira but an allegation of a lodgment of this nature had never been made.

He also denied allegations that he not co-operated with the tribunal and said he had unearthed a "valuminous" amount of information for the tribunal including details of more than 20 bank accounts in his and his family members' names.

"I am satisfied my evidence will be vindicated", Mr Ahern told the Dáil. He said he found it "distasteful" that there was an "obsession" about the details of his personal life.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the "public interest and the protection of the reputation of the highest executive office of the land, the office of An Taoiseach, demands that the charade that is currently being played out is ended. And ended now. "

"Because, the Taoiseach's stories are threadbare. His evidence invisible," Mr Kenny added.

"But with blind loyalty his Ministers: Cowen, Martin, Taoiseach, Hanafin, Lenihan, O'Cuiv, Cullen, rennan, Dempsey, Coughlan and, O'Dea have all come out to support the yarns he has spun.

Labour party leader Eamon Gilmore speaking during the debate this evening

"And what about the other Ministers in this Government? Remember the slogan: Green politics is clean politics. Well now Green politics is blind politics as Ministers Gormely, Ryan and Sargent adopt the standards we have come to associate with the PDs."

As Dáil business got under way this afternoon, Labour's Eamon Gilmore again called on Mr Ahern to step down over the revelations that came to light in Dublin Castle.

Mr Gilmore, speaking for the first time in the Dáil as party leader, said to Mr Ahern: "I don't believe your explanation".

"It is a resigning issue and would be in any other country," Mr Gilmore said.

Asking Mr Ahern when he intended to step down, Mr Gilmore added: "I believe the majority of people in this country don't believe the story you told to the tribunal. There is national disbelief about the evidence you gave to the tribunal."

All TDs from the Government benches were summoned into the Dáil chamber for the late evening vote by chief whip Tom Kitt. Enterprise Minister Micheal Martin and Overseas Development Minister Michael Kitt are currently away on business. However they will be 'paired' with Opposition TDs to balance numbers.