The Taoiseach will not have to discuss his educational achievements in the Dβil despite Fine Gael efforts to question his stated third-level experience.
The Ceann Comhairle yesterday ruled out a question on the topic from Fine Gael's Mr Richard Bruton on the grounds that Mr Ahern had no official responsibility to the Dβil on the matter.
Mr Bruton tried to raise the matter after it emerged that although Fianna Fβil's website stated that he was educated at UCD and the London School of Economics, he has no qualifications from these institutions. After his question was disallowed, Mr Bruton yesterday called on the Taoiseach "to clarify ambiguities he has created about the published record of his educational history".
The Taoiseach's spokesman said last night there were no "ambiguities" and that it was widely known that the Taoiseach held no degree. He said Mr Ahern had "never claimed qualifications he doesn't have. He doesn't list himself as a graduate and doesn't put initials after his name".
He said Mr Ahern had worked by day and gone to college at night, as he couldn't afford to be a full-time student. He had studied in Rathmines College of Commerce, obtaining a Certificate in "Works Accountancy", now known as Cost and Management Accountancy.
"He did some extra courses at UCD for which there was no certificate awarded, and believes he did a correspondence course with the LSE at one stage." He could not explain Mr Ahern's entry in Nealon's Guide to the 27th Dβil and Seanad, which says Mr Ahern has diplomas in taxation, business administration and computer studies. The Taoiseach would check his own records at the weekend if there was still a high level of interest in the subject.
Mr Bruton stressed he was making "no big deal" over whether the Taoiseach had particular qualifications. "I was giving him an opportunity to clarify what was his educational experience in these institutions." He said he was not asserting there was anything false about Mr Ahern's listed educational background "but it wouldn't be satisfactory if he was putting up things that weren't accurate".
Mr Bruton's own entry in Nealon's Guide reads: Belvedere College, Dublin; Clongowes Wood College; University College Dublin; Nuffield College, Oxford (BA, MA, MPhil [Oxon] Economics. The Taoiseach, nevertheless, holds more honorary degrees than Mr Bruton holds real ones.