Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to step down on May 6th
Bertie Ahern announces he will step down as taoiseach on May 6th
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Wednesday, 02, Apr 2008 01:03
Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern will step down on May 6th after almost 11 years in power, he announced today.
The taoiseach's resignation comes as a public inquiry tribunal continues to probe his finances amid allegations of corrupt payments in the 1990s.
But the 56-year-old, who also said he planned to step down as leader of Fianna Fail, claimed his decision was motivated solely by the need to "refocus the political dynamic in Ireland" and not because of ongoing proceedings.
"I have never received a corrupt payment and I have never done anything to dishonour any office I have held," he said in an emotional statement.
Mr Ahern has served as a member of the Irish parliament for 31 years, 14 of which have been as leader of Fianna Fail, making him the party's second-longest serving leader, a title he also holds for his 11 years as taoiseach.
The Dublin-born politician has been credited in playing a crucial role in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and has presided over an economic upturn in Ireland's fortunes.
He said his time as taoiseach had coincided with an "unrivalled era of peace, prosperity and progress on this island" and that it had been an "extraordinary honour" to lead Fianna Fail.
"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," Mr Ahern continued.
"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."
"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."
He did admit, however, that the tribunal had begun to overshadow the government's work, an issue made worse by the "uncertain economic times" facing Ireland and the rest of the world.