Bertie bows out to chorus of plaudits and a lone critic
His mentor, Charles Haughey, had famously quoted Othello when resigning as Taoiseach in 1992, saying: “I have done the state some service; they know’t. No more of that.”
But Mr Ahern left it to others to mention his achievements, instead thanking political colleagues and opponents, the civil and public service, family and friends in a short speech.
There was a special mention for the North’s first minister, Ian Paisley. “Like me, Dr Paisley will soon leave office and bring to a close a long and distinguished career,” said Mr Ahern. “It was my task to work with Dr Paisley to try to turn matters around. At our early meetings, he stated he would never shake hands with me and there were rows and scowls between us on many occasions. However, we have ended up good friends and I acknowledge his contribution. This island has come a long way and I thank God for that.”
Mr Ahern said he was proud to have earned a reputation as a hard worker, but admitted there had been failures in his career. “I did not get everything right — I openly and honestly admit that. I’ve always did my best, but, worked to the best of my abilities for the people.”
Mr Ahern finished by quoting the Jesuit priest and writer, Fr John Sullivan, which he felt appropriate for the day.
“Take life in installments. This day now, at least let this be a good day. Be always beginning, let the past go. Now let me do whatever I have the power to do.”
Mr Ahern resigns as taoiseach on May 6, but will not appear in the Dáil again before then, hence yesterday morning being used as an occasion to pay tributes to him. Most of the tributes focused on Mr Ahern’s contribution to the peace process, his presidency of the European Council in 2004, and his work on social partnership.
Fianna Fáil leader-designate Brian Cowen, PD leader Mary Harney and Green minister Eamon Ryan wove personal anecdotes into their speeches.
“You are the only socialist I could say so many nice things about,” Ms Harney said to laughter.
Mr Ryan recalled how he had once attended a book launch at the National Galley at which Mr Ahern was speaking.
“He started his speech by citing every single councillor in the room, a trick with which I was very impressed.”
Mr Cowen’s speech was more sober, recalling his pride at seeing heads of government give Mr Ahern a standing ovation at the conclusion of his presidency of the European Council.
Both Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and his Labour counterpart, Eamon Gilmore, praised Mr Ahern and said it was not the time to raise controversial issues such as the Taoiseach’s entanglement with the Mahon Tribunal.
But Sinn Féin’s Dáil leader, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, chose to criticise Mr Ahern’s record on health, much to the irritation of Fianna Fáil. “He and the Government have failed completely to deliver an equitable, efficient and truly reformed public health service,” said Mr Ó Caoláin.
A key piece of the mosaic making up the man that is Bertie Ahern is his unequalled zest for people. For him, people were never an interruption to his main task — they were the main task. They were the focus, purpose and the point of his political life.
I have described you, Taoiseach, as the ultimate paradox — a sociable loner. I can accurately suggest that you are at home in a crowd, but at one with your garden.
I have watched you in the House since we both entered it many years ago and I have known few who could come near you in terms of diligence to your job…
I give the Taoiseach full credit for his involvement in chairing the European Council in Dublin during our presidency... I want to give him full credit for the part he played as taoiseach and his persistence, diligence and commitment in bringing to conclusion the Good Friday agreement…
It is tough to relinquish power, and particularly tragic in some cases, for people who love either protocol or vanity and who suffer from pride. The Taoiseach has none of these problems.
You are an extraordinary politician whose work rate is 24-7. Few, if any, have so seamlessly combined the duties of statesman with service and availability to constituents…
It is not in any way to underestimate your subsequent achievements to state you were in many respects a lucky taoiseach …
The Taoiseach enjoyed office during a time of rapid and sustained economic growth, conditions that would have been the envy of any of his 10 predecessors.
You did many positive things in your time in office that will remain as a monument to you. There was a great growth in personal wealth, for some at least. There was a huge increase in the number of people in employment. You showed a great commitment to the social partnership process and delivered a period of almost unprecedented industrial peace.
Perhaps the achievement the Taoiseach can be most proud of is his work in regard to Northern Ireland…
The Taoiseach’s role in this process alone would guarantee his place in Irish history.
The outgoing Taoiseach’s contribution to the development of the Irish peace process was very significant and deserves full acknowledgement…
I say a sincere “well done” on the Taoiseach’s role in that historic process, which alone guarantees his place in the history of our country.
I do not want to spoil the bonhomie this morning, but I cannot participate in a back-clapping exercise in isolation of the consideration of the record of governments led by the Taoiseach over the past 11 years.
I repeatedly called on him to resign primarily because of the disastrous state of our health services over which he has presided. That failure has overshadowed his role as head of government for over a decade. He and the Government have failed completely to deliver an equitable, efficient and truly reformed public health service…
The stepping-down of Deputy Bertie Ahern as taoiseach will mean little if it does not prompt a new direction in government policy. That would require a beginning to the delivery of a truly equitable health service.
He was good at consensus politics and skilful in applying them to the historic issue we faced on this island in terms of sovereignty. He applied consensus politics to Europe like no other European politician has managed to do. Nobody else has had the same success in pulling people together.
I have seen him in action during the 11 months I have been in government and it is interesting to see how he works. Sometimes an issue comes to a head and we do not agree on it or think it will work. He would approach it, let it back out and give it some time before returning to it, so that people have the chance to work through words and see if a consensus decision can be found. That significant legacy will be left behind him.
He was also fortunate to be taoiseach for 11 remarkable years of prosperity and success unlike anything we experienced in the past. There is a collective sense in this country that we want to hold on to that good fortune and a fear that if the Taoiseach leaves us, some of the fortune will also depart. I hope he will leave it behind.
There are many here who would say nobody really knows Bertie Ahern but one thing I know from my experience over the past 11 years is that nothing is too unimportant for you. You use your strengths to concentrate on the issues that matter and to make the impossible a reality. You have embraced some impossible tasks and made them happen, not least the Northern Ireland peace process…
I know of no political leader on this island or elsewhere who contributed so much to the peace of their own people than you did…
As you leave office, this country is much better placed than it was 11 years ago — of that there can be no doubt…
When he told us of his intention to stand down, I told him I hope he gets more time to spend with his family and friends, and gets a life for himself. I know of nobody who has put in the commitment you have over the past 11 years…
He has been criticised for shaking too many hands but the people of Ireland genuinely found in the Taoiseach somebody who was one of their own.
He is without question the consummate politician of his era in this country…
He has displayed, in a way that others strive to do, although perhaps not as successfully, that it is possible to be a man of the people in discharging the duties of this high office of taoiseach…
I recall the Taoiseach coming home from the Good Friday negotiations, and making the political calls, which are the responsibility of politicians. Having the real courage to make those calls is something I was particularly proud of.
I will never forget the final negotiations for the draft [EU] constitutional treaty, when 26 other heads of government and state, stood in applause of the Irish presidency. They knew there was not another politician in the room with the capacity to ensure the deal was done in the coherent way it was. That is a matter of pride for all Irish people…
His potential has been realised and there is more to come, le cúnamh Dé, in whatever task he puts his mind to in future. On behalf of my party, he is a resource we will not easily let go of.
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