Save Tara demonstrators are today marking Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's reign as “a monument to bad planning, and unsustainable development”.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has presided over his last official function as Taoiseach before handing in his resignation this evening.

People on both sides of the border must drive forward together on the basis of a firm dedication to peace, Stormont First Minister Ian Paisley said today.

Bertie Ahern deserves to be the next President of Ireland, Ian Paisley declared today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will today officially tender his resignation after 11 years as Taoiseach.

Outgoing Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today claimed his greatest achievement was peace on the island of Ireland and urged the next generation to continue the good work.

Outgoing Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was today praised as being the most skillful politician of his era by opponents and allies as they marked his last full day in the Dáil.

Tributes are being paid to the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on his final day in the Dáil today.

The new Taoiseach-in-waiting says he is committed to making Ireland a better place to live when he takes over from Bertie Ahern next month.

Taoiseach-in-waiting Brian Cowen was publicly unveiled as Fianna Fáil party leader-designate today outside the Dáil this morning.

The President of the European Parliament has said Bertie Ahern is one of a number of possible candidates for the planned new position of EU President.

One of the last official acts of the departing Taoiseach may be to formally open the historic Battle of the Boyne site in Co Louth.

Minister Micheál Martin is being tipped for a high-profile position in the Department of Finance once Brian Cowen becomes Taoiseach on May 6.

Tánaiste Brian Cowen has today confirmed that he has submitted his nomination to become Taoiseach.

The Tánaiste and Finance Minister Brian Cowen is expected to be appointed Fianna Fáil leader without a contest next week.

Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt has tonight announced the process by which a new leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach will be conducted.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan and Education Minister Mary Hanafin have both come out in support of Brian Cowen as the new leader of Fianna Fáil.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern will today reveal if he is to challenge Tánaiste Brian Cowen to become the next Taoiseach.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan says she is considering her position before stating whether or not she intends to seek the Fianna Fáil leadership.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey is refusing to rule himself out of the race to become the next leader of Fianna Fáil following Bertie Ahern's resignation.

Micheál Martin has ruled himself out of the race to become the next leader of Fianna Fáil.

The process of choosing Bertie Ahern's successor as Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader is expected to get underway today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will make a major speech in Dublin today to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement as he enters his final weeks in office.

GAA presidential candidate Liam O'Neill has heaped praise on outgoing Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for his support of the GAA and its activities during his term of office.

US senator Ted Kennedy today paid tribute to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, after the news that he will resign on May 6.

Ian Paisley today attributed his good working relationship with Bertie Ahern to the Taoiseach's acknowledgement that unionists did not want to be part of a united Ireland.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has today wished Bertie Ahern and his family well for the future, following the Taoiseach’s resignation today.

Green Party Leader John Gormley today paid a warm tribute to Bertie Ahern as the Taoiseach announced that he would stand down on May 6.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is today calling for a fresh General Election after the Taoiseach stands down on May 6.

This is the full text of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's resignation speech, April 2, 2008:

British prime minster Gordon Brown said the soon-to-depart Taoiseach Mr Ahern had been an “outstanding statesman”.

Former Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte says Bertie Ahern has done the country a service by naming a date for his resignation as Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader.

The Tánaiste Brian Cowen has said Bertie Ahern will leave office with a great deal of dignity when he steps down on May 6.

Bertie Ahern was a major architect of the Northern peace process, a British government minister claimed today.

Mr Ahern, in his resignation speech today said it was an honour to be Ireland’s second longest-serving Taoiseach and party leader.

Bertie Ahern has flatly denied ever receiving a corrupt payment throughout his career and said he "never put himself before the public good".

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has announced his departure from office in a statement from his office this morning.

Bertie Ahern has thanked his family and friends for support during his years as leader of the country, in what seems to be a resignation speech.