Hanafin has 'too much on her plate' to defend Ahern
Education Minister Mary Hanafin declined to defend Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday regarding the ongoing controversy over the contradictions in his Mahon Tribunal evidence.
In stark contrast to Mr Ahern's pre-Christmas appearance at the Planning Tribunal, no Cabinet Ministers have stood up for their leader since his former secretary Grainne Carruth dramatically admitted lodging sterling to his accounts.
When asked by the Irish Independent to comment on last week's revelations from the tribunal, Ms Hanafin said: "I'm only dealing with education issues today. Genuinely, I'm only dealing with education issues today and tomorrow."
The minister was at the INTO teachers' union conference, making her one of the few Cabinet members involved in a public engagement this week.
But she refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding Mr Ahern's explanations of lodgments to his savings accounts not standing up to scrutiny.
Pressed on her view about the tribunal evidence, she said, "I've enough on my plate now with three conferences today, this evening and tomorrow on education. I think that is my major priority."
Tanaiste Brian Cowen is now back in the country following his St Patrick's Day trip to Vietnam and Malaysia, but he has yet to respond to requests for comment. He has also abandoned the idea of making a statement this week about the contradictory evidence.
After Mr Ahern hinted at the weekend that he might clarify matters this week, but a Government spokesman subsequently backtracked, saying the Taoiseach had always maintained he would deal with "Mahon issues" only in the "appropriate forum", which was at the Mahon Tribunal itself.
The Taoiseach is not due to give evidence again until at least May 20, although there are free tribunal slots in late April and early May. It is understood, the tribunal is in correspondence with Mr Ahern's legal team as to what might be the next subject of his tribunal evidence.
Mr Ahern's brother, Noel Ahern, said in recent days that the amounts of cash involved were "small money, relatively", referring to the £15,500 in sterling lodged at the Irish Permanent Building Society.
- Lise Hand and Fionnan Sheahan
