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”.

“This country owes much of its present prosperity to the courageous decisions that were taken in 1987 and 1988 by Charles Haughey and his government.

“From this gathering I want to extend our warm regards and good wishes to Charlie and his family,” the Taoiseach said during celebrations at Dublin’s Mansion House to mark the party’s founding in 1926.

Mr Haughey was too ill to attend the gathering but was represented by family members. Relatives of former FF leader Seán Lemass and party founder Eamon De Valera were also present.

Other guests included former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and former president Dr Paddy Hillery.

Actor Barry McGovern opened proceedings with a reenactment of Mr De Valera’s address to the inaugural meeting of Fianna Fáil in Dublin’s La Scala Theatre in May 1926.

Guests also viewed an exhibition, The Advance of a Nation — 80 Years of Fianna Fáil.