Ahern ushers in a new Haughey era

WITH the most delicious timing, Bertie Ahern made good on a blank cheque for Haughey yesterday.

The irony of young Seán finally getting his passport to the Government benches within hours of his father’s truly unique contribution to Irish democracy being laid bare by the long awaited Moriarty Tribunal report was rich indeed.

For a Teflon Taoiseach, Mr Ahern has an unhappy knack of getting burned when it comes to carving the turkey, to use Margaret Thatcher’s typically ruthless phrase for ministerial reshuffles.