Bertie Ahern to announce his departure date!

MarkN

KevIRL wrote: »

Cullen

Dear God I hope not.

The man is a fool.

Martyr

ANXIOUS, the country practically ran itself.

Bertie didn't do anything he wasn't doing for himself..

ianhobo

ANXIOUS wrote: »

This is a sad day for ireland. Regardless of what people say he did an untold amount of god for this country. Its quite sad that he didnt get the chance to be presummed innocent until proven guilty. If their was an election tomorrow ff would win by a landslide. It really is a sad day, it really is true ireland are a nation of bugruders, kicking a great man while he is down. Its funny how the mahon trib. leaked documents everytime it came under pressure

That is pure tripe. The country succeeded DESPITE bertie, not because of him! FF would only win because of the continued ignorance of certian individuals who are still living in their own little world, and are generally unaware oft he real world. The real world is where the economic success experienced here was set up BEFORE bertie arrived as Taoiseach, and where the leader of this couontry has been under continued investigation for several months!! Its an embarrassment that he has remained in office so long, and a further embarrassment that people would continue to vote for him and his fellow co-horts

JMULL

Bertie will be a big loss to the country. Cowen will become taoiseach and will be a huge loss as minister of finance. In all fairness compare Bertie to Kenny. Kenny the national school teacher served as minister for tourism(or something like that) for about two minutes once in his thirty year career. He tried to stop knock airport the biggest/best piece of infrastructure in his native county, as he completly lacked the vision to see it succeed. There is not one thing you could say that kenny achieved in his political career. Would ye rather see this man as taoiseach. Laugh away now if ye want, but ye might regret it.

Basq

Off-topic but..

Edward from 'The League OF Gentlemen'


Brian Cowen

ANXIOUS

ianhobo wrote: »

That is pure tripe. The country succeeded DESPITE bertie, not because of him! FF would only win because of the continued ignorance of certian individuals who are still living in their own little people, and are generally unaware oft he real world. The real world is where the economic success experienced here was set up BEFORE bertie arrived as Taoiseach, and where the leader of this couontry has been under continued investigation for several months!! Its an embarrassment that he has remained in office so long, and a further embarrassment that people would continue to vote for him and his fellow co-horts

The thing that you keep describing as an embarrashment is called
democracy. So when bertie was minster for finance did he not aid the growth of the country? What about him being presummed guilty from the start. We give murders and drug dealers this basic right, why not that great man...

redspider

> it really is true ireland are a nation of bugruders, kicking a great man while he is down.

speak for yourself ....

Ireland is not a nation of begrudgers!

But it does and rightly so voice its concerns over those that go too far. It needs to do more of that, as there are plenty more 'bad eggs' floating around the country, politicians, and from others fields.

Redspider

helvetica

Actually I think this is a sad day, it's a victory for bureaucracy, a bit of a character assassination through the media. I can't help feeling that many people have anger at politicians full stop, and would be happy no matter who was up there resigning, no matter which party they were from. I personally think it's a pity a money scandal can remove a good taoiseach.

Anyway, I guess it's off to Europe for Bertie now anyway, or maybe the lecture circuit (Clinton earned $9 million to $10 million on the lecture circuit in '07)

helvetica

basquille wrote: »

Off-topic but..

Edward from 'The League OF Gentlemen'


Brian Cowen

and Harney's a no-tail, imagine their love-spawn :O

Roy Batty

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Victor

JMULL wrote: »

Bertie will be a big loss to the country. Cowen will become taoiseach and will be a huge loss as minister of finance.

Uh oh, who's getting Finance?

kevpants

Unfortunately the lumbering beast that is Fianna Fail will just trundle on. Cowen will be slid in uncontested. Some democracy, I know we won't get a general election but to see every government minister being terrified of running for leadership and of being excluded as a rebel because biffo is the annointed one is pathetic. Cowen has f**ked up the last few budgets and clearly has no idea what to do when the good times aren't automatically rolling.

So sick of this sideshow, we don't have politics we just have a group of beauracats making excuses as our economy and standards of living go into freefall, seemingly beyond their control.

Zombrex

He is jumping before he is pushed. Personally I would have loved to see him pushed.

jmayo

Good riddance

BTW for anyone that spouts the drivel that he is repsonsible for celtic tiger here are a few points.
If anything the ground work for the celtic Tiger were laid by that other outstanding FF leader, albeit shady charcter, CJH.
The foundations of the celtic tiger were laid back in 1987 and one man that also should be given plaudits is Alan Dukes who sacrificed his own political career for the benefit of the country.

The other group that deserve a lot of the credit is the IDA and the enterprise boards that actually convinced foreign companies to invest here.

Bertie arrived at the right time.
Sadly celtic tiger died back in 2001 and what we have had since is housing bubble, beneficial to all his building buddies, that has been driven by international cheap credit.

If you want to see his legacy look at our hospital system, look at our over staffed public service, look at all the money wasted in cost overruns, failed projects.

Oh and he brought peace to NI.
He brought a fudge, albeit a semi functioning one.
Now the two majority parties are not the centre parties but the more extremists parties on both sides. The peace walls are growing in size and number.
Besides does anybody remember Albert and what he actually did for the peace process?

Speaking circuit ....
How the Christ can you compare Clinton's speaking ability to berties ?
Clinton is an orator, bertie is a babbler !

KevIRL

Victor wrote: »

Uh oh, who's getting Finance?

Cullen obv

Zombrex

kevpants wrote: »

Unfortunately the lumbering beast that is Fianna Fail will just trundle on.

That is true. I was hoping that all this would lead to a change in government, but that looks unlikely. Bertie gone, FF business as usual.

In fact knowing Ireland this will probably get FF sympathy support :rolleyes:

ANXIOUS

Wicknight wrote: »

He is jumping before he is pushed. Personally I would have loved to see him pushed.

Why? What would you have gained from that? People like you make me sick

Lemming

jmayo wrote: »

Good riddance

BTW for anyone that spouts the drivel that he is repsonsible for celtic tiger here are a few points.
If anything the ground work for the celtic Tiger were laid by that other outstanding FF leader, albeit shady charcter, CJH.

IIRC, it wasn't CJH who laid the ground-work, but Gareth FitzGerald telling CJH that his party would support much needed (and unpopular) reforms if FF tabled them.

flogen

Lemming wrote: »

IIRC, it wasn't CJH who laid the ground-work, but Gareth FitzGerald telling CJH that his party would support much needed (and unpopular) reforms if FF tabled them.

And don't forget the work of Ruairi Quinn as Finance Minister - IIRC he was the one to drop corporation tax amongst other things.

ianhobo

the real hum dinger? he now won't have to answer ANY questions in the dail i.e publicly!! grrrrr

_feedback_

helvetica wrote: »

I can't help feeling that many people have anger at politicians full stop, and would be happy no matter who was up there resigning, no matter which party they were from.

+1

He done a great job, regardless of what anyone says here ... He was a great public figure, and his speech accross the water should be memorable under the present circumstances.

Wait for the reaction to who will replace him, no matter who I think of, they are laughable in the role of Taoiseach

jmayo

Lemming wrote: »

IIRC, it wasn't CJH who laid the ground-work, but Gareth FitzGerald telling CJH that his party would support much needed (and unpopular) reforms if FF tabled them.

True but at least CJH had the cop to know writing was on the wall for country and actually do something constructive.
Bertie has only ever created fudges that tries to statisfy everyone but yet benefits no one long term.

Jonny Arson

despite the spoof and spin of him doing this in the interest of the country and the people, he's getting out because he knows whats coming around the corner in terms of the Mahon tribunal is all to damaging, the sudden nature of his departure tells only one thing. if Ahern genuinely cared about this country he would have resigned in September 2006 but instead he kept trying to dig himself out of his own hole to the detriment of this country and when you keep on digging you're only going to get swallowed eventually and thats what we are seeing.

good riddance. he is a arrogant spoofer that has presided over party riddled with gombeen men and women that have put the interests of themselves, their careers and their property developer buddies over the people of this country. after getting lucky taking over when the celtic tiger was hitting full swing, what we are left with from the 'Ahern era' is a 3rd world health service, an economy sleepwalking itself into recession, an ever increasing gap between rich and poor and absolutely pathetic levels of infrastructure to show from the goldrush of the 'celtic tiger'. I'm not even going to start on the Mahon Tribunal saga but anyone who isn't brainwashed by Fianna Fail or retarded knows what he has been up to and that ultimately proves the man's true character. Even in his speech today, he spoofs about how he put the people first, that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I'll give him credit for some of his work on Northern Ireland but the scale of his influence on the Peace Process is still wildly exaggerated to this very day. Aside from Northern Ireland, you're struggling to see what good this man has done for this country. He is just another self serving incompetent politician.

Bertie Ahern is conclusively one of the worst taoiseach to lead this country and today is good day for the Ireland. However his county will not progress and change under Cowen or any other incompetent ministerial spoofer so I fail to envisage Ahern's departure delivering any significant change to this country while Fianna Fail are still in office.

The_Minister

Anyone else notice that no Progressive Democrats came to see him off?

leninbenjamin

prendy wrote: »

but it was when he was minister for finance that these blocks were put in place.

blocks were put in place as much by Fine Gael. they were the first to propose the initial changes, but they didn't get on that mandate. but they said they'd back up Fianna Fail if they were to implement them, giving Fianna Fail the freedom necessary to do what was necessary. that's what happened. it cannot be largely attributed to one party. one of the rare examples of politicians putting the national interest over the party.

Goodbye Bertie. you will always invoke mixed memories.

jmayo

The_Minister wrote: »

Anyone else notice that no Progressive Democrats came to see him off?

There was no free food

Victor

http://www.taoiseach.ie/index.asp?locID=584&docID=3821

STATEMENT BY AN TAOISEACH MR BERTIE AHERN T.D. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS WEDNESDAY 2ND APRIL 2008

I have been privileged to serve my community, my party and our country for many years in public life. In that period, I am proud to have made a contribution to an unrivalled era of peace, prosperity and progress on this island.

Any achievements I have accomplished I share with the many people who have stood with me and behind me. I am grateful to so many people who have over the years given generously of their time and effort and shared my commitment to public service and building a fairer, stronger Ireland.

At the outset today, I want to thank my family who from the earliest stages supported me and always encouraged me throughout my journey in public life.

My motivation for entering politics in 1977 was to represent the people of my constituency; throughout my political life my greatest honour has been to represent them in Dail Eireann. Ihave been elected ten times in those 31 years by the people of Dublin Central I want to give special thanks to my constituency organisation. Their unprecedented commitment and friendship has never wavered. They have come with me, through good times and bad times, and for that I am very grateful.

Today, I thank all of those who have canvassed for me in election after election. I particularly recall those friends no longer with us but whose memories will always stay with me.

Today I also want to say that I am humbled to have been entrusted for over a decade with the great responsibility of leading our nation. The Irish people are innately decent and I have been privileged to serve them and to enjoy tremendous support. I especially wish to acknowledge all those people who took the time to pray for me, to send me mass-cards and letters of goodwill. As a political leader, I always took great encouragement and solace from such support.

In November 1994, I was elected leader of Fianna Fáil, the Republican Party. This was for me and my family an extraordinary honour. To follow in the footsteps of DeValera, Lemass and those other giants of this nation’s history was both a daunting prospect and an historic opportunity. Almost fourteen years on, I am today Ireland’s second longest serving Taoiseach and the second longest serving leader of Fianna Fail.

I believe the secret of Fianna Fail’s enduring success is rooted in the quality of people that we have as public representatives. I have been privileged to work with patriotic and decent colleagues and I will always be grateful for the faith they placed in me.

I want to thank all of my Fianna Fail ministerial colleagues, our parliamentary party and all our councillors for their incredible support, overwhelming loyalty, and most of all their friendship which has sustained me throughout my period as Uachtaran Fhianna Fáil.

Beyond our elected representatives I also want to pay tribute to the members of the Fianna Fail National Executive and our party members in every cumann across the length and breadth of this country for whom I have a lasting respect. These ordinary patriotic men and women have been an inspiration to me. Their commitment and loyalty to our party is unmatched and I believe was a decisive factor in last year’s General Election.

Election 2007 demonstrated Fianna Fail’s continuing strength and vitality as a national movement. I want to thank the tens of thousands of members and activists up and down the country for delivering that historic success.

I am proud to be the first Taoiseach since 1944 to be elected on three successive occasions. On the day, I took over as leader of Fianna Fail, I pledged to lead our party back into government and keep us there.

I said then that I would strive to build up our economy. Today Ireland is more prosperous than at any time in our entire history. All levels of Irish society have seen their well-being dramatically improved in the period I have served as Taoiseach.

Above all else, I promised that day, that the priority I would put above all others would be to work for peace on this island. I kept my word and I have given my all to that cause.

Through painstaking negotiations, colossal work has been done in laying the foundations of reconciliation and justice between the communities in Northern Ireland. The cycle of hatred and violence which many people thought might never end has been well and truly broken.

The Good Friday Agreement now provides the political framework for an island that can at last achieve its full potential. This week and next week, many of those who a decade ago played a role in negotiating that historic accord will gather to reflect on the work which was done and the progress which has since been made.

In preparing for the events to mark this anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, I’ve obviously reflected back on the road we have travelled from discord to peace, from distrust to partnership and from despair to a new prosperity, north and south. I have also taken this opportunity to take stock of my own position.

At the end of this month, I will visit Washington to address the Joint Houses of Congress. It will be a great privilege to become only the fourth ever visiting statesman to have addressed both Congress and Westminster. For me, this will be one of the proudest moments of my political career.

In looking back on all the things I wanted to achieve in politics, I am proud that as Taoiseach I have:
• delivered on my objective to bring the peace process to fruition;
• delivered on my objective to see a stable administration based on the power-sharing model take root in Northern Ireland;
• delivered successive social partnership agreements which underpin our social and economic progress;
• delivered a modern economy with sustainable growth in employment and brought an end to the days of forced emigration;
• delivered on my objective to improve and to secure Ireland’s position as a modern, dynamic and integral part of the European Union.

As leader of Fianna Fáil, I am proud too that I have ended the myth that Fianna Fail is incapable of sustaining a coalition government. I have led the two longest serving coalitions in the history of this State. I have also laid the foundations for another long running and successful coalition government which has the capacity to run a full term. I have the utmost respect for John Gormley, Mary Harney and their respective parties who continue to work hard to deliver a strong and stable government and implement our Agreed Programme for Government. I also wish to acknowledge the steadfast support from Independent Deputies who have supported me in government.

Just as stability is important in a coalition government, it is even more vital within a political organisation. I always said that there would be no room for factions in Fianna Fail under my leadership and I am proud today to lead a strong and united party.

A strong, united party working within a cohesive government underpins stability and means the primary focus of government is on performance, not on any other external distractions.

It is a matter of real concern to me that the important work of government and party is now being over shadowed by issues relating to me at the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments.

The constant barrage of commentary on Tribunal related matters has and I believe will continue to dominate the political agenda at an important point for our country. We face uncertain economic times and challenges and we are soon to cast our vote on the Lisbon Treaty. The vital interests of Ireland demand that the national dialogue of our political system address these fundamental issues and not be constantly deflected by the minutiae of my life, my lifestyle, and my finances.

The decision I am announcing today - like all other decisions that I have taken in a lifetime in politics - is solely motivated by what is best for the people. I have been reflecting on pursuing this course of action for some time. This is solely a personal decision. I have no doubt that a simplistic analysis will suggest that my decision has been influenced by most recent events at the Tribunal. What I announce today is completely inspired by the desire to refocus the political dynamic in Ireland.

Recent developments have not motivated my decision. For the record I state today that nothing could be further from the truth. I look forward to comprehensively dealing with these matters at the Tribunal and robustly refuting any imputation against me.

I first sought election to the office of Taoiseach on the pledge that I would put people before politics. I have kept that promise. I have always placed the interests of the Irish people above my own. Therefore I will not allow issues relating to my own person to dominate the body politic as this would be contrary to the long term interests of the Irish people.

I want everyone to understand one truth above all else. Never, in all the time I have served in public life, have I put my personal interest ahead of the public good. I have served this country and the people I have the honour to represent in Dáil Éireann honestly.

I have provided more details about my personal finances than any person in public life who has ever held office. While I will be the first to admit that I have made mistakes in my life and in my career, one mistake I have never made is to enrich myself by misusing the trust of the people.

I have never received a corrupt payment and I have never done anything to dishonour any office I have held. I know that some people will feel that some aspects of my finances are unusual. I truly regret if this has caused any confusion or worry in people’s minds. All of these issues arose in a period when my family, personal and professional situations were rapidly changing and I made the best decisions I could in the circumstances in which I found myself. I know in my heart of hearts that I have done no wrong and wronged no-one.

I look forward to the completion of the Tribunal’s work and I am confident that when it reports, the Tribunal will find that I have not acted improperly in anyway. Equally I will not allow issues concerning myself or my finances to divert attention from the important job of government at hand. I believe it is in the best interests of the Government, my Party and most importantly the people of Ireland that I set out the time-frame for my departure from office.

It had always been my intention to review my position as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fail in the aftermath of next summer’s Local and European Elections. But having reflected on the need to ensure that the work of my ministerial colleagues is not distracted from by incessant publicity about the Tribunal, I have decided of my own volition to bring forward the date.

I will complete my duties over the course of the next month and following on from my return from the United States and the State Visit to Ireland by the Prime Minister of Japan; it is my intention to tender my resignation to President McAleese on Tuesday 6th May. On that date, I will also tender my resignation as Uachtaran Fhianna Fail.

In meantime, I will continue to discharge my duties as Taoiseach to the best of my ability, and to work as hard as I have always done, to secure the continued peace and prosperity of the island of Ireland.

Ends

oscarBravo

TIME OUT!

I've deleted a bunch of crap from this thread. The forum's rules still apply, and from this point forward, any deleting I have to do will be accompanied by a ban.

Victor

HUMPTY DUMPTY
http://www.taoiseach.ie/uploadedfiles//TN_KAS14238(2).jpg

redspider

The_Minister wrote: »

Anyone else notice that no Progressive Democrats came to see him off?

I did notice Brian Lenihan looking around (presumably) to see where Mary Harney was when Bertie mentioned her in his announcement. She wasnt there as far as I could tell. Are there any other PD's of significance? She's also not appeared on any media sources so far, so looks like she is keeping a low profile.

Bertie Ahern wrote:

I have no doubt that a simplistic analysis will suggest that my decision has been influenced by most recent events at the Tribunal. What I announce today is completely inspired by the desire to refocus the political dynamic in Ireland. Recent developments have not motivated my decision.

yeah, right ....