Martin proposes Ahern be expelled from Fianna Fáil for 'betraying trust of party'

FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin has proposed that former taoiseach Bertie Ahern be expelled from the party, saying he “betrayed the trust” of the country and the political organisation.

Mr Martin said the planning tribunal’s final report, which found Mr Ahern failed to “truthfully account” for the source of bank account lodgments, confirmed the former Fianna Fáil leader’s personal behaviour had fallen short of the standard expected of holders of high office.

“In the manner in which he received this money while holding high office and in the giving of rejected evidence to a sworn tribunal Bertie Ahern betrayed the trust placed in him by this country and this party,” Mr Martin said.

Half an hour before Mr Martin spoke, Mr Ahern issued a statement in which he said he had dedicated his life to politics and serving the interest of the Irish people.

“I have never accepted a bribe or a corrupt payment,” he added.

Mr Martin has also proposed the expulsion of former Fianna Fáil minister and EU commissioner Pádraig Flynn, who the tribunal found corruptly sought and received a payment from developer Tom Gilmartin in 1989, along with the expulsion of former councillors GV Wright, Finbar Hanrahan and Don Lydon.

Following a meeting of party officers in Dublin last night, which lasted for more than two hours, the Ard Comhairle has been asked to vote on the recommendations at a meeting on Friday, March 30th. Two members of the officer board, Senator Mary White and Kathryn Byrne, abstained when Mr Martin asked if the group agreed with his proposal to expel Mr Ahern.

Last night, Mr Martin also advocated a “root and branch” review of Mr Ahern’s former constituency of Dublin Central, including the transfer of assets held on behalf of the party to trustees.

Mr Martin noted that what he described as “the central allegation against Bertie Ahern” was not sustained but said the evidence confirmed by the tribunal and its comments relating to him were “extremely serious”. Mr Martin is expected to expand on the statement at a press conference this morning.

Referring to Mr Flynn, Mr Martin said it was “reprehensible” that he had “accepted for himself a sum of IR£50,000 that was handed over to him in his ministerial office by the developer Tom Gilmartin”.

He added: “That behaviour on his part was a disgrace and betrayed the trust that the Irish electorate had placed in him.”

Turning to the former Fianna Fáil councillors criticised by the report, Mr Martin said he condemned their actions unreservedly.

“Those Fianna Fáil councillors identified as taking corrupt payments for making planning decisions not only debased the planning process, they also debased our party and helped undermine public trust in local politics,” he said.

Mr Martin said he understood the anger and disappointment that many people felt when reading the tribunal’s report. “I share it,” he added.

Referring the report’s statement that members of Mr Ahern’s cabinet had sought to collapse the tribunal, Mr Martin said he took the comment seriously “but the report provides no details upon which a response can be given”.