Bertie beats the odds again to make survivor shortlist

BERTIE AHERN may be bowing out, but his ability to defy the political odds were last night recognised as he was nominated for a special award.

The outgoing Taoiseach was shortlisted for the survivor of the year 2007 prize at the annual Magill political awards for his tenacity in staying at the top so long.

Judges were impressed by Mr Ahern’s determination to keep a grip on power, which saw him storm to a third straight election victory after a disastrous start to the campaign, and then withstand bad publicity swirling out of the Mahon Tribunal for so long.