‘I have done no wrong and wronged no one’

THE following is an edited version of the statement by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern delivered at Government Buildings yesterday:

“I have been privileged to serve my community, my party and our country for many years in public life. In that period, I am proud to have made a contribution to an unrivalled era of peace, prosperity and progress on this island.

I also want to say that I am humbled to have been entrusted for over a decade with the great responsibility of leading our nation.

I want to thank all of my Fianna Fáil ministerial colleagues, our parliamentary party and all our councillors for their incredible support, overwhelming loyalty, and most of all their friendship which has sustained me throughout my period as Uachtaran Fhianna Fáil.

On the day, I took over as leader of Fianna Fáil, I pledged to lead our party back into government and keep us there.

I said then that I would strive to build up our economy. Today Ireland is more prosperous than at any time in our history.

Above all else, I promised that day, that the priority I would put above all others would be to work for peace on this island. I kept my word and I have given my all to that cause.

The Good Friday Agreement now provides the political framework for an island that can at last achieve its full potential. This week and next week, many of those who a decade ago played a role in negotiating that historic accord will gather to reflect on the work which was done and the progress which has since been made.

In preparing for the events to mark this anniversary, I’ve obviously reflected back on the road we have travelled from discord to peace, from distrust to partnership and from despair to a new prosperity, north and south. I have also taken this opportunity to take stock of my own position.

At the end of this month, I will visit Washington to address the Joint Houses of Congress. This will be one of the proudest moments of my career.

As leader of Fianna Fáil, I am proud too that I have ended the myth that Fianna Fáil is incapable of sustaining a coalition government.

Just as stability is important in a coalition government, it is even more vital within a political organisation. I always said that there would be no room for factions in Fianna Fáil under my leadership and I am proud today to lead a strong and united party.

A strong, united party working within a cohesive government underpins stability and means the primary focus of government is on performance, not on any other external distractions.

It is a matter of real concern to me that the important work of Government and party is now being overshadowed by issues relating to me at the tribunal of Inquiry into certain planning matters and payments.

The constant barrage of commentary on tribunal-related matters has and I believe will continue to dominate the political agenda at an important point for our country. We face uncertain economic times and challenges and we are soon to cast our vote on the Lisbon Treaty. The vital interests of Ireland demand that the national dialogue address these fundamental issues and not be constantly deflected by the minutiae of my life, my lifestyle, and my finances.

The decision I am announcing today — like all other decisions that I have taken in a lifetime in politics — is solely motivated by what is best for the people. I have been reflecting on pursuing this course for some time. This is solely a personal decision. I have no doubt that a simplistic analysis will suggest that my decision has been influenced by most recent events at the tribunal. What I announce today is completely inspired by the desire to refocus the political dynamic in Ireland.

Recent developments have not motivated my decision. For the record I state today that nothing could be further from the truth. I look forward to comprehensively dealing with these matters at the tribunal and robustly refuting any imputation against me.

I want everyone to understand one truth above all else. Never, in all the time I have served in public life, have I put my personal interest ahead of the public good. I have served this country and the people I have the honour to represent in Dáil Éireann honestly.

I have provided more details about my personal finances than any person in public life who has ever held office. While I will be the first to admit that I have made mistakes, one mistake I have never made is to enrich myself by misusing the trust of the people.

I have never received a corrupt payment and I have never done anything to dishonour any office I have held. I know that some people will feel that some aspects of my finances are unusual. I truly regret if this has caused any confusion or worry in people’s minds.

All of these issues arose in a period when my family, personal and professional situations were rapidly changing and I made the best decisions I could in the circumstances in which I found myself. I know in my heart of hearts that I have done no wrong and wronged no one.

I look forward to the completion of the tribunal’s work and I am confident that when it reports, the tribunal will find that I have not acted improperly in any way. Equally I will not allow issues concerning myself or my finances to divert attention from the important job of government at hand. I believe it is in the best interests of the Government, my party and most importantly the people of Ireland that I set out the time-frame for my departure from office.

It had always been my intention to review my position as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil in the aftermath of next summer’s local and European elections. But having reflected on the need to ensure that the work of my colleagues is not distracted from by incessant publicity about the tribunal, I have decided of my own volition to bring forward the date.

It is my intention to tender my resignation on Tuesday, May 6. On that date, I will also tender my resignation as Uachtarán Fhianna Fáil.

In meantime, I will continue to discharge my duties as Taoiseach to the best of my ability, and to work as hard as I have always done, to secure the continued peace and prosperity of the island of Ireland.”