Apart from the odd spat, FF and the PDs are there for the long haul

ON the night after polling day in the 2002 general election, Bertie Ahern gave the traditional ‘victor’s interview’ to Brian Farrell in RTÉ’s election studio.

At the time the final result in a dozen or so constituencies was still to be declared. However, it was certain that Ahern was going to be re-elected Taoiseach. While he would come close, he was not going to attain an overall FF majority.

One of the inevitable questions which Farrell put to the Taoiseach was with whom he would form his incoming government. In Ahern’s first term as Taoiseach, FF had been in government with the PDs, but had to rely also on support from three independents. Now though, having increased FF’s seat numbers, the Taoiseach had choices.