Manifesto launch:Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has strongly rejected Fianna Fáil claims that his party is behind the leaking of information from the Mahon tribunal about the Taoiseach's finances.
"This is a complete and utter shambles of a Government at the moment and they have brought paranoia to a new height," Mr Kenny said, referring to a statement by the Taoiseach's brother, Minister of State Noel Ahern, that Fine Gael was behind the leaks.
"I understand that a Minister of State has been on the airwaves saying he had it on good authority that some one high up in Fine Gael is behind the leaks on his brother.
"Well, let me give a clear message to the Taoiseach. At the start of this campaign, Bertie Ahern said he was more interested in dealing with policy issues than personalities. At the start of this campaign, I said Fine Gael would fight this campaign on issues before the people in terms of the cost of living, the economy, health, crime and broken promises by the Government. I accept the Taoiseach's word on this matter. I ask him now to accept my word. Nobody in the Fine Gael party is behind any leaks from the Mahon tribunal. Nobody."
Mr Kenny also referred to a press conference on Sunday at which three senior Fianna Fáil Ministers aired suspicions about Fine Gael involvement in the leaks.
"Minister Brian Cowen, Minister Micheál Martin and Minister Dermot Ahern, when they point the finger of accusation at the Fine Gael party, let them be sure of the thing . . . If they want to know, if they really want to know where these leaks are coming from, they should point their finger of accusation across the Cabinet table."
Mr Kenny was speaking after the launch of his party's manifesto which was about "better services, better spending, better results and better government, leading to a better quality of life in a better Ireland".
He said Fine Gael and Labour had agreed a joint programme of spending and tax cuts which would cost €2 billion and they had also budgeted for another €2.9 billion in extra spending to be negotiated with Labour after the election.