Doubts raised yesterday by the Mahon tribunal about the Taoiseach's account of his personal finances should create "serious issues" for parties considering joining a Fianna Fáil-led coalition, Fine Gael said last night.
The Fine Gael move to place Bertie Ahern's finances back in the political frame has caused considerable Fianna Fáil irritation, with senior figures arguing privately that it will backfire on Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
Fine Gael advisers attended Dublin Castle to hear tribunal counsel Des O'Neill's statement that an AIB Dublin branch had accepted no more than IR£1,920 worth of sterling on the day when Mr Ahern said nearly £30,000 in sterling was lodged.
"Mr Ahern's statement was accepted at face value by all political parties. Indeed, the statement from the Taoiseach during the campaign contributed to the Government remaining intact for the duration of the campaign," said Fine Gael Louth TD Fergus O'Dowd, in a statement approved by Mr Kenny.
"It is now clear that the Taoiseach's claim that the sterling given to him by Mr Wall on December 3rd 1994 was lodged into an AIB account on December 5th, 1994 is directly contradicted by evidence uncovered by the tribunal," Mr O'Dowd said.
Fianna Fail Minister of State, Brian Lenihan last night said he believed the tribunal's statement would not "impact" on efforts to form a coalition: "I do not believe that today's proceedings carry the matter any further".
Fine Gael deputy leader, Richard Bruton said its "too early to say" if it would affect coalition talks, though he said "some discrepancies" now appeared to exist with Mr Ahern's election statement.
Former Progressive Democrat TD, Fiona O'Malley told RTÉ's Questions and Answers: "Frankly, I don't think that it will have any impact. It is impossible to get to any judgment on a day by day basis."
Independent TD, Finian McGrath, one of those whose vote may be needed to form the next government, said the Taoiseach is entitled to "due process" and deserves "a fair hearing".