Ahern apology over cash donations

12 April 2012

Embattled Irish Premier Bertie Ahern has dramatically apologised to the nation for accepting cash donations while Finance Minister in the early 1990s.

In a robust defence greeted by applause from Government benches, the Taoiseach insisted the monies were unsolicited personal gifts.

He told a special Dail parliament session: "It was not illegal or non-permissible to have done what I did.

"But I now regret the choices I made in those difficult and dark times.

"The bewilderment caused to the public about recent revelations have been deeply upsetting to those near and dear to me.

"To them, Ceann Comhairle (Speaker), to the Irish people, to this House, I offer my apologies."

It emerged last week that Mr Ahern accepted a £8,000 cash collection in Manchester's Four Seasons Hotel in 1994.

Last weekend Mr Ahern was forced to pay back loans he received from 12 friends in 1993-94 to help fund the separation from his wife.

Last weekend Mr Ahern denied he did anything wrong but now he has admitted he made an error of judgment. He cited legislation in the 1980s and 1990s to prove his case that accepting the £8,000 in 1994 was neither illegal nor unethical. He said he was advised by two eminent tax advisers that the Manchester payment involved no tax obligations.

"Nobody is infallible or perfect," he told the Dail. "If I had anticipated in 1993 and 1994 that my decisions to accept loans from friends or the gift of money in Manchester would cause such difficulties and media intrusion for my family and friends, that would give rise to distortion of my motives and misrepresentation of my conduct, I would not have accepted a penny."

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