Dispute over Brady election costs

A row has broken out in Fianna Fáil over how to meet an estimated €50,000 in debts for the failed European election bid of former Dublin lord mayor Royston Brady.

A spokeswoman for the party said Mr Brady's election agent, Rory Scanlan, had "absolute responsibility" for financing the campaign, adding that the question of outstanding debts was not an issue for the party.

However, Mr Scanlan, a member of the Fianna Fáil's national executive, said: "It's the candidate who is responsible for the debts."

He added: "All monies will be paid. It's just a question of when. Fianna Fáil has never reneged on its debts."

Declarations made to the Standards in Public Office Commission showed Mr Brady spent almost €200,000 in his unsuccessful campaign. Mr Brady said he was concerned that his reputation was suffering because of the delay in paying the bills.

"I have taken legal advice because it's my name being bounced around and I am not happy with it," he said.

When he had agreed to stand in the European Parliament election last June, he had received a personal assurance from the Taoiseach that the cost of the campaign would be "covered".

"It was the one issue I raised because I knew the campaign would cost about €150,000. I got assurances from Bertie when I sat down with him. I was four or five weeks married at that stage. That's why I remember it so well," Mr Brady said.

A finance committee chaired by the party's chief fundraiser, Des Richardson, was established to raise money for the campaign.

"I was told all along that I am the candidate and the finance committee will take of the money side," said Mr Brady.

He noted he had "written off" about €25,000 of his own money from the campaign.

"I accept that. That's the chance you take when you run. I lost, and I am trying to get on with it. But this I'm fed up with because it's personally damaging. Why are these debts being put on the long finger?"

Mr Scanlan refused to comment on the extent of the debts, saying: "It's certainly not in the public interest."

He added that the necessary money would be raised by "people who are working on fundraising on his [ Mr Brady's] behalf. It will be raised by me and by other people.

"But it's going to take some time. That has more to do with getting people organised to collect it, and the fact that you can't go back to the same people twice in one year."