Ahern refuses questions on signing of blank cheques

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he would not answer any more questions on his signing of blank cheques as Fianna Fáil treasurer when Charles Haughey was taoiseach.

Mr Ahern was rejecting Opposition demands for questions following next week's debate on the Moriarty report. The report revealed payments made to Mr Haughey and how he used some of the party's funds for personal purposes.

Mr Ahern said: "I went down [ to the tribunal] and gave my good time to the eminent gentleman and I enjoyed it no end. That is over and done with, and I will not answer any more questions because I have answered enough questions about signing blank cheques and I am not doing it any more."

Asked by Fine Gael's chief whip Paul Kehoe if he had signed cheques, Mr Ahern replied: "Did I sign blank cheques? I signed loads of them for all kinds of organisations and clubs for years. I have given it up now. It cost the State a fortune to find me guilty."

The matter was raised by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who noted that the report would be debated by the House next week.

"Will there be an opportunity for questions and answers at the end of the series of statements? Some members might wish to raise questions and the Taoiseach, or somebody else, might wish to give answers."

Mr Ahern said that the tribunal report was a report to the House.

"There is no Minister responsible for answering questions on it," the Taoiseach added.