PM left North legacy of peace, says Taoiseach

TONY Blair has left the North a “legacy of peace”, his close ally Taoiseach Bertie Ahern declared last night.

He paid the warmest possible tribute to his British counterpart after Mr Blair confirmed he would leave office next month following 10 years in power which have seen Anglo-Irish relations totally transformed.

“Tony Blair leaves office with an honoured place in our history assured,” said Mr Ahern. “From his first days as prime minister he devoted unprecedented time and attention to bringing the appalling conflict in Northern Ireland to an end.”