Taoiseach defends use of Christmas cards

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern defended his use of Christmas cards after it was revealed he had sent one to a Green Party election candidate seeking her assistance in canvassing.

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent suggested that Mr Ahern should tell the people in his office that it was not appropriate to send electoral material in Oireachtas envelopes with Christmas cards.

"The Taoiseach's Christmas cards include a request for people to help him with his canvassing or with anything else he needs to get re-elected.

"Has the Taoiseach given an instruction to his officials in that regard?

"While my colleague, Patricia McKenna, welcomed the Taoiseach's Christmas greetings, it came as a bit of a shock to her to be asked to help with the Taoiseach's canvassing."

Ms McKenna, a former MEP for Dublin, is the Green Party candidate in Mr Ahern's Dublin Central constituency.

"None of us, least of all the Taoiseach, wants to get into trouble for flouting electoral regulations," Mr Sargent said.

Mr Ahern said he had checked the regulations relating to the use of Oireachtas envelopes. He said he was entitled to distribute what was not an electoral leaflet.