Last autumn it became clear Ahern, as finance minister in 1993 and 1994, took money from businessmen in Dublin and Manchester. He knew some of these people, some were friends, while others were strangers. For 24 hours last September, Ahern's hold on his job as Taoiseach seemed to be loosening. The first of the revelations about money dragged him into the scandal mire associated with Charlie Haughey and the others who feature prominently at the Dublin Castle tribunals. In may, Michael McDowell wobbled and the PDs looked set to walk out if Fianna Fail did not act.

But then Brian Cowen, in what has become a regular occurrence in recent months, intervened to steady the troops in FF. Ahern had the space to overcome the barrage of criticism. McDowell backed off, ultimately to his party's cost, and an uncertain opposition slunk away . . . also, it can be argued, to their cost. But the public decided the payments affair did not rank high enough up the scandal scale to warrant Ahern's removal from office.

On polling day last May, Lansdowne Market Research undertook an exit poll for RTE. Participants were asked:

"Did the discussion about Bertie Ahern's personal finances or house in the 1990s have any impact on how you voted today, or not?" A significant 75% said the controversy did not impact on how they voted. Some 16% said the payments issue influenced them not to vote for FF, while 6% said it made them decide to support Ahern's party. It is unlikely the additional information that has emerged from the evidence of the various AIB officials will sway people from their original positions. Those who believed it was unacceptable for a senior official to take money from business people . . .under any circumstances . . . will remain steadfast in their view that Ahern should have resigned last autumn. Equally, those who felt taking the money was not the biggest crime and had to be set against Ahern's overall political record will likely shrug their shoulders at the new information.

The Taoiseach will have his opportunity to explain the unusual affair when he appears at the tribunal in September. It will be embarrassing for the FF leader but it will take a dramatic revelation to convince the public to become exercised about this matter.

PDs and the Greens tightlipped about Harrington's success

MARY McAleese, or at least officials in Aras an Uachtarain, were first off the mark to congratulate Padraig Harrington on his British Open golfing success. A oneline email from McAleese on the "thrilling victory" was issued at 7.48pm last Sunday evening.

Nineteen minutes later, Jack Wall . . . Labour Party spokesman on sport . . . sent out a media email about what he said was "one of the greatest days in the history of Irish sport".

The Taoiseach's message of congratulations arrived just after half past eight, while at three minutes to nine o'clock Enda Kenny was issuing words of praise.

There was silence from the PDs . . . who would have been considered golfing types . . . while the Green Party, maybe conscious of all the carbon emissions involved in getting those golfers and their caddies to Carnoustie, remained tightlipped.

Bertie bound to be taking notes after reading 'The Blair Years'

ALASTAIR Campbell's diaries hit the number-one spot in the hardback books sales last week.

Bertie Ahern has said The Blair Years will be on his reading list when he departs to Kerry for his holidays next month.

The Taoiseach might well check with his own staff when he returns to see which of them has been scribbling notes each evening over the last 10 years.