APPROVAL at the manner in which the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, distanced himself from former Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, in the Dunnes payments controversy, was expressed by delegates at the party's 62nd ardfheis.
But there was also regret and what some delegates termed "deep sadness" at the decisive manner in which Mr Ahern had to dissociate himself from his former mentor. They commented that the party grassroots felt an old loyalty to Mr Haughey and were distressed that "past behaviour" had become problematic in the party they insisted, also, that he could not be dubbed guilty of any impropriety until the tribunal, which begins taking oral evidence today, had completed its work.
The impact on Fianna Fail of the controversy involving Mr Haughey, along with strong criticism of the Labour Party leader and Tanaiste, Mr Spring, dominated much of the discussion in the ardfheis bars.
Mr Pat Black, director of elections in Kildare South, said the party and Mr Ahern must distance themselves from the issue. "But," he added, "we are all a little bit hurt and a little bit sorry. Charlie Haughey was a great statesman. He spent 10 years leading Fianna Fail, a distinguished career, possibly being destroyed."
Having addressed the matter well on Friday, Mr Ahern and his party would be "untarnished". "The king is dead, long live the king. We have a new leader. Let's go forward," Mr Black said.
Meanwhile, Mr Spring's arrogance" resulted in him "insulting 40 per cent of the Irish electorate". "What has Bertie Ahern ever done to Dick Spring? Labour people themselves are upset by what Dick Spring has done," he added.
Mr Shane Campbell, an accountant from Newbridge, Co Kildare, predicted that Mr Ahern's handling of the affair in his Friday night opening address, would ensure Fianna Fail should not be affected in the general election. There was, however, a bias against Fianna Fail in the media, he claimed. "I do not believe that this (controversy) can have a negative affect on Bertie Ahern. It is history," Mr Campbell added.
Mr Emmet Kane from Kildare said nobody could predict what would emerge from the tribunal. "How do we know what Ben Dunne is going to say? Why harass a 71-year-old person? You are innocent until proven guilty. Why would someone of his wealth be running after a supermarket man?" he asked.
Councillor Seamus Keelan of Dundalk UDC said Mr Ahern had no option but to clear the air. Having spoken to people on the doorstep in the previous days, he was convinced it would not be an issue in the election. "They are not talking about Ben Dunne or the Labour Party. They are asking what is Fianna Fail going to do about crime, drugs, unemployment and their housing needs.
Various politicians from different parties had benefited from the "Ben Dunne slush fund" but until the tribunal reached its conclusions, judgment should be withheld, he said.
According to Mr Stephen Martin from Co Louth, the media were "trying to put a slur on the political scene generally" and were "downgrading the political scene". Regretting that Mr Haughey had become embroiled in the Dunnes payments affair. Ms Aileen Price from Dublin said:
"Charlie had charisma".
"When he spoke to you, it was like you were the only person ink the room. I won't knock him," she said. Though Mr Ahern was "a wee bit gentle" at the outset of his leadership, he had "developed into a very strong character".
"I have great faith in him. We are a new Fianna Fail. They talk about new Labour, we are new Fianna Fail" she added.