Taoiseach speaks on Carfin row

Mr Ahern said he was aware of the upset caused

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has spoken for the first time on why he cancelled a trip to Scotland.

Mr Ahern had been due to unveil a memorial to victims of the Irish potato famine at the Carfin Grotto in Lanarkshire, on 11 February - the same day as an Old Firm match.

The cancellation caused a political row culminating in the resignation of the Lanarkshire MP Frank Roy, parliamentary private secretary to the Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell and a former aide to the Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid.

Mr Roy had written to the Irish Government warning of an increase in sectarian tensions in the area on the day of the Celtic v Rangers match.

The memorial is to victims of the potato famine

The Taoiseoch said he had not wanted to be at the centre of a storm and had acted on the advice of diplomats.

Speaking at the Irish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Ahern emphasised that he was aware of the upset the cancellation caused in Scotland and said he would do everything to make sure he unveiled the Carfin memorial at a later date.

He said: "I've read all the comments and all the speculation - at least what has been shown to me - in Scotland about it, but that was not what influenced me.

"Ambassador Barrington and Council General Mullhall in Glasgow discussed it and put the situation to me as they saw it and I made a judgement on their advice.

Official visit

"I know and understand the hurt and concern it created and for that reason I'll really go on an official trip to Scotland and meet all of the people that the deputy mentioned and still unveil the plaque.

"The security in Scoltand did not believe there was any threat, but there is no point in me getting involved in something to change extremely friendly relationships.

Frank Roy warned of sectarian tensions

"I did not want to do that and for that reason I took the advice that was given to me, but we'll do our utmost to make sure we fulfill that engagement at a later date."

Motherwell and Wishaw MP Frank Roy was widely criticised for writing to the Taoiseach warning his visit on the day of an Old Firm clash might cause security.

His warning came despite advice from Strathclyde Police that they were not concerned about security on the day of Mr Ahern's planned visit.

Mr Roy resigned from his post as aide to Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell on 11 February.

He insisted he had acted as constituency MP and not in his capacity as adviser to the Scottish secretary.