Bertie book explores life of teflon Taoiseach

CHARLES HAUGHEY’S infamous appraisal of his protégé’s abilities has served as both an asset and a liability to Bertie Ahern and now provides the title of a new book on the Taoiseach.

Most Skilful, Most Devious, Most Cunning: A Political Biography of Bertie Ahern, written by John Downing, charts his political career from modest beginnings in Drumcondra to the international stage.

Launched in Dublin last night by academic and broadcaster Professor Brian Farrell, to coincide with the forthcoming 10-year anniversary of Mr Ahern’s election as leader of Fianna Fáil, the unauthorised biography dwells upon the relationship between Mr Ahern and his patron, as well as examining a number of pertinent questions:

How did he reunite a fractured Fianna Fáil party?

How did he win power when his mentor, Haughey, was embroiled in sleaze?

How did his minority go the full five years and come back with an increased mandate?

How did he get into a position where he looks set to be re-elected for a third term in office?

The former political editor of the Irish Examiner, now the political correspondent of the Irish Daily Star, Mr Downing also looks at his lower middle-class origins and his constant grassroots battles with foes in his constituency.

“He is a fascinating study. I was particularly taken with his constituency organisation and operation, which epitomises Irish politics and all that is good and bad about it,” he said.

Although Mr Ahern presents an affable face to the public, the biography describes how he conceals a ruthlessness only rarely seen, but deployed on occasion with clinical efficiency.

Most Skilful, Most Devious, Most Cunning: A Political Biography of Bertie Ahern by John Downing is published by Blackwater Press and costs €14.99.