Taoiseach will 'ignore' Kenny criticisms

The Taoiseach said today he would ignore comments by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny that Bertie Ahern had lost the moral authority to lead the Government.

Mr Kenny insisted yesterday that Mr Ahern was wrong, regardless of the his personal circumstances, to receive cash donations while in office.

He also criticised Mr Ahern's colleagues in Government who supported the Taoiseach in accepting money for personal use, yet criticised former TD Liam Lawlor and former taoiseach Charles Haughey for doing the same thing.

"We have a Taoiseach, a head of government, who can't explain why very substantial monies went through his accounts, backed up with blind allegiance from Minister after Minister, from his own party, the Greens and PDs," Mr Kenny told RTÉ radio.

But the Taoiseach today hit back at Mr Kenny saying he was focusing on the "important issues".

"I think the fact is there are a lot of important things to deal with," Mr Ahern said at an event in Croke Park this morning.

"It's a time of the year wher we're working on the Estimates. We've a lot of reforms in the health service, a lot of things happening, so obviously when you're in the Opposition...for a lot of people they're in it for decades, they don't want to focus on the issues.

"But for me I need focus on the important issues for the people, you know, creating jobs, creating wealth, looking after services, helping in various issues, and today is a typical day for me," Mr Ahern added.

Asked how he reponded to Mr Kenny's comments yesterday, Mr Ahern said: "Well I just ignore him. I've been listening to Opposition people for years. I've spent most of my 30 years of political life listening to Opposition people and I suppose my only answer to it is as long as they stay in Opposition and I can continue to do my job I'm quite happy."