Ahern appointment - A suitable candidate

The appointment of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern to the advisory group of the World Economic Forum’s Council on Negotiations and Conflict Resolution is a deserved tribute to the seminal role that he played in helping cement the peace process in Northern Ireland.

He joins another of the architects of that peace process, George Mitchell, along with former presidents Jimmy Carter of the US and Marti Ahtisaari of Finland.

Although the downturn in the economy may prompt some questions about Mr Ahern’s economic judgment, his record in the area of conflict resolution is exemplary.

He was fortunate in coming to power at a time when Northern Ireland was essentially exhausted by decades of violence, but that should not detract from his performance. He played the cards he was dealt with finesse.

Bertie Ahern was one of the main architects of the Good Friday agreement under the most trying circumstances, and this had a great impact on unionist politicians. As a result he was in a strong position to appeal across the sectarian divide.

For that we should all be profoundly thankful. It is therefore fitting that the international community should now call on his expertise.