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Bertie's emotional farewell...
03.04.08
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INISHOWEN grassroots
Fianna Fáil were among those reeling yesterday
following the surprise resignation statement by An
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
There was swift and mixed reaction to Ahern's
decision to step down from office on May 6 after
more than a decade in the top job. In true Bertie
style, he caught everyone on the hop by signalling,
at around 8.30am, he would be making an important
statement shortly after 10am.
Flanked by a stony-faced Cabinet he took to the
steps of Government Buildings and, in an emotional
address to the nation, declared he would be leaving
office in just five weeks. He stressed he had "never
taken a corrupt payment in (his) life" and said his
decision to step down was because the relentless
focus on his personal affairs was posing a
distraction to the Government in uncertain economic
times. |
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He said his only reason
for resigning was for the "good of the country" and
the "good of the people". And in a voice trembling
with emotion, he declared: "I've done no wrong and
wronged no-one".
Moville-based Fianna Fáil Senator Cecilia Keaveney
yesterday spoke of the irony that Ahern revealed his
intention to resign on the twelfth anniversary of
the double |
by-election triumph of
herself and Brian Lenihan when
Ahern was Opposition leader.
"It is a momentous day when it coincides with the
day when he now announces his exit from national
political leadership," she said. She cited the Good
Friday Agreement, social partnership, economic
progress and strong and dynamic EU participation as
among his main achievements.
"These are no mean feats by any person's reckoning,"
said the local Seanad member. "I relive today the
by-election and many positive days which occurred
under his leadership for our county and country. I
wish him and his family well as he takes some time
back for himself and them after years of putting
people and politics before his own private time and
life," she added.
Meanwhile, Opposition politicians including Fine
Gael Deputy Joe McHugh acknowledged the Taoiseach's
contribution to Irish political life but unanimously
accepted that resignation was the only course of
action remaining to him after a succession of
controversial tribunal revelations. |
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