Ahern pays tribute to Haughey legacy of prosperity

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night heaped praise on his predecessor Charles Haughey at celebrations to mark Fianna Fáil’s 80th anniversary.

The Taoiseach admitted Mr Haughey had “made mistakes” but that Ireland owed much of its prosperity to decisions taken by him in the late 1980s.

Mr Ahern said he had been responsible for “some of the toughest words” that have been spoken about Mr Haughey’s controversial period in office, but that his career was “extraordinary”.