Ahern formally signs off at Áras

BERTIE AHERN formally submitted his resignation as taoiseach to President Mary McAleese yesterday after almost 11 years in charge of the country.

Signing off on his resignation at Áras an Uachtaráin, the Taoiseach appeared calm and kept a smile after giving up his third term as leader.

Mr Ahern had spent the afternoon saying goodbye to his staff at the Department of the Taoiseach in Dublin city centre.