Bad example - Shame on Bertie and the system

As we begin the new year, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has announced that he is quitting politics at the end of the current Dáil term. In a sense, it marks the end of an era, and it would be nice to be able to think that we could now put all of the heartache and the pain of the past few years behind us, but that is not realistic.

There will inevitably be reminders of the excesses of the Celtic Tiger era in the midst of the pain of tackling the current financial crisis. Some developments, such as the forthcoming report of the Mahon Tribunal, may well raise serious questions.

Various assessments are being made today about Mr Ahern’s political impact. Some will argue, with justification, that his legacy in relation to the North overshadows the negatives. There is no doubt that major progress was made in different areas during his period as taoiseach.