Bertie Ahern
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Patrick Bartholemew "Bertie" Ahern (Ir. Parthalán Ó hEachtairn) (born September 12, 1951) is the tenth Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland (1997-present). He has been a TD since 1977 and in 1994 became the sixth leader of Fianna Fáil. Ahern has also served as Minister for Labour (1987-1991), Minister for Finance (1991-1994) and served as acting Tánaiste on one brief occassion.
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| Rank: | 10th Taoiseach | |
| Term of Office: | June 26 1997 - present | |
| Predecessor: | John Bruton | |
| Successor: | ------- | |
| Date of Birth: | Wednesday, September 12, 1951 | |
| Place of Birth: | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Profession: | Accountant | |
| Political Party: | Fianna Fáil | |
| Tánaiste: |
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Early life
Bertie Ahern was born on September 12, 1951 in Dublin into a traditional republican family. His father had seen active service during the War of Independence and the Civil War. Ahern was educated at St. Patrick's National School in Drumcondra, St. Aidan's Christian Brothers in Whitehall, University College, Dublin, and Rathmines College of Commerce. Ahern's introduction to politics came at the age of 14 when he became involved in a Fianna Fáil by-election campaign in his constituency. Ahern had the task of climbing up lamp posts to hang up election posters. During this campaign Ahern first met his political mentor and future Taoiseach, Charles Haughey. In the 1969 General Election Ahern helped in the election campaign in his constituency again. The Dublin-Central constituency produced Charles Haughey and George Colley as TDs. These two men would later go on to battle with each other for the leadership of the party a decade later. Meanwhile Ahern went on to qualify as an accountant and found employment in the Mater Hospital in Dublin.
Early Political Life
Coming into the Irish General Election, 1977 Fianna Fáil were in opposition. The Fine Gael-Labour coalition was hoping to be re-elected. However, on polling day Fianna Fáil achieved 50% of first preference votes and was elected with a 20 seat Dáil majority. Constituency after constituency threw up new TDs including one Bertie Ahern. On his first election campaign Ahern received 4,000 first preference votes and was elected with transfers from other candidates. During the first few years as a TD Ahern was just another backbencher.
In 1979 the concerns of the Fianna Fáil Party turned to who would succeed Jack Lynch. The two candidates who put their name's forward were George Colley and Charles Haughey. It is well known that Ahern, who had served on a health committee with Haughey in the mid-70s, backed Haughey in the leadership race. Colley, the candidate favoured by the Party establishment, was beaten by a handful of votes in the final result. Even though Ahern was too low down on the political ladder to expect any real promotion from Haughey he was still appointed Assistant Government Chief Whip. In 1980 the actual Chief Whip, Seán Moore, became ill. This meant that Ahern was effectively doing the work of Moore without any additional credit.
In 1981 and 1982 Ireland was faced with three general elections Ahern increased his personal vote on all three elections, on one occasion he even out-polled his running mate George Colley, a man who hoped to be Taoiseach less than three years earlier. Fianna Fáil remained in opposition until 1987 when they were returned to power. During this fallow period for Fianna Fáil Ahern became Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1986.
Ahern was appointed Minister for Labour, not a hugely important portfolio when he took over. By the time he left it was apparent that it was a central department in kick-starting Ireland's ailing economy. Haughey and Ahern were seen as key players in negotiating with the trade unions and in getting a national economic agreement. In 1989 Haughey called an early general election, an election which saw Fianna Fáil lose seats. As a result Fianna Fáil were forced into a coalition with the Progressive Democrats. The coalition negotiations were spear-headed by Albert Reynolds and Ahern and eventually a programme for government was produced. The PDs were given two seats at the Cabinet table while Ahern returned as Minister for Labour.
The Irish presidential election, 1990 was the first to be contested for seventeen years. Brian Lenihan, the hugely popular Tánaiste was Fianna Fáil's candidate and Ahern was his Director of Elections. Lenihan appeared to be a shoe-in for the job but a series of events unfolded which saw his chances diminish and which eventually led to Mary Robinson becoming the seventh President of Ireland. In 1991 the programme for government was reviewed between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. Ahern was a key player in these talks again. When all hope had faded of a return to government Ahern pulled off a master stroke and the coalition was back on track. This prompted Haughey to remark of Ahern, 'He's the most clever, the most cunning, the best of the lot.'
In November 1991 Albert Reynolds and his supporters launched a leadership challenge on Haughey. Ahern publicly backed Haughey, however, he knew that he would be leaving the following year anyway. The challenge by Reynolds failed and he and his supporters were dismissed from the Cabinet. In the Cabinet reshuffle that followed Ahern was promoted to Reynolds' old portfolio, that of Minister for Finance. In early 1992 Charles Haughey was accused of knowing about the tapping of journalists' phones in the early 1980s, something that he always denied. This time his luck ran out and he decided to resign as Taoiseach.
Fianna Fáil now turned to who would succeed Haughey. Ahern was encouraged by many to allow his name go forward, however he was apprehensive. Eventually better judgment prevailed and he remained out of the leadership contest. Albert Reynolds eventually became Haughey's successor as Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach. Ahern and Dr. Michael Woods were the only two senior members to remain in the new Reynolds Cabinet, with Ahern retaining his Finance portfolio. Following the Irish General Election, 1992 Fianna Fáil formed a coalition government with the Irish Labour Party. This lasted until late 1994 when Labour withdrew from government. Ahern replaced Labour leader Dick Spring as acting Tánaiste, however, his tenure was brief as Reynolds subsequently resigned as Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader. This time Ahern was poised to take over the leadership.
Fianna Fáil Leader
Another candidate, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, allowed her name go forward in the leadership race but it was a foregone conclusion that Ahern would succeed. Eventually Geoghegan-Quinn withdrew and Ahern was elected unopposed as the sixth leader of Fianna Fáil on November 17, 1994. Negotiations between Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party for a continuation of government got underway as quickly as possible. It was taken for granted that the coalition would continue and that Ahern would become the next Taoiseach. However the Labour leader, Dick Spring, called off the arrangement and Ahern found himself as leader of the Opposition instead of leader of the government. John Bruton became the new Taoiseach instead. In 1997 the 'Rainbow Coalition' came to an end and a general election was called. Following the Irish General Election, 1997 it was clear that there would be a change of government. Eventually Fianna Fáil formed a coalition government with the Progressive Democrats, with the support of four Independent TDs. The PD leader, Mary Harney, would become Tánaiste and would have one other seat at Cabinet.
Ahern as Taoiseach
On June 26, 1997, at age 45, Bertie Ahern became the youngest Taoiseach in the history of the Irish state. Early on in Ahern's first government his Foreign Minister, Ray Burke, was forced to resign after allegations of corruption. This was just a minor setback for a government that was just finding its feet. There was also controversy when it came to nominating a presidential candidate in 1997. Former Cabinet ministers Albert Reynolds and Michael O'Kennedy were interested in seeking the Fianna Fáil nomination for President. However, Mary McAleese, a relatively unknown Party activist also sought a nomination. Ahern , it is alleged, had promised Reynolds his support, however, in a meeting of ministers he gave a typically ambiguous speech which seemed to encourage his Cabinet to support McAleese. In the end, McAleese was successful and she went on to become the eighth President of Ireland. Reynolds was humiliated.
One of Ahern's biggest achievements as Taoiseach has been the on-going progress in the Northern Ireland Peace-Process. Developments came to their zenith when history was made at Easter 1998 with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The agreement was seen as something special because not only was it endorsed by the political parties, but it also was endorsed by the British and Irish governments and the people of the Republic and Northern Ireland. The Agreement has led to a devolved power-sharing government, albeit suspended for the time being, but the hope is that permanent devolved government will return to Stormont in the near future.
Following the Irish General Election, 2002 the Fianna Fáil lead coalition was re-elected with an even bigger Dáil majority. It was thought that the Party might even achieve an unprecedented overall majority. However, Fianna Fáil was only a handfull of seats short of the 84 required, and, as a result the coalition government remained in power. It was the first time a government has been re-elected since Jack Lynch's in 1969.
Other notable achievements during his period in office:
- Irelands 2004 European Presidency, (see [[1]]) generally considered one of the best Presidencies. During this time EU leaders reached consensus on a new European Constitution, there was a rapprochement in EU-US relations, the EU formally admitted 10 new members, and selected José Durão Barroso as next President of the European Commission
- Irelands reaction to the 2001 UK foot and mouth crisis
Private Life
Ahern is currently seperated, though not divorced from his wife Miriam. Although seperated the two are on good terms with one another. He had enjoyed a long-term relationship with Celia Larkin, however, since mid-2003 they are no longer a couple. Ahern has two daughters from his marriage, Cecelia, who is a novelist, and Georgina, who is married to Westlifes Nicky Byrne.
The future
In interviews Ahern has expressed his interest in leading Fianna Fáil into a third historic general election victory which he hopes will be in 2007. Ahern has repeatedly stated that he hopes to remain in politics until he is 60 years old, whether he is Taoiseach, a backbencher or otherwise. Coincidentally the 2011 retirement date Ahern has set himself ties in with a Presidential election. However, it is certainly doubtful that such a hands-on politician as Ahern would wish to accept the political graveyard that is the Presidency of Ireland.
A downturn in opinion polls for Ahern and his government after the 2002 election was followed in 2004 by Fianna Fáil's worst local election results in 80 years. However despite speculation, no leadership challenge materialised. Two candidates considered contenders to succeed him, Ministers Micheál Martin and Brian Cowen, have pledged their loyalty to Ahern and have no immediate plans to unseat him. Cowen is seen as the heir-apparent to the leadership, however it is certain that Ahern will lead the Party into a third general election campaign.
Cabinet
- An Taoiseach: Bertie Ahern
- An Tánaiste: Mary Harney
- Minister for Finance: Charlie McCreevy (1997-2004), Brian Cowen (2004-)
- Minister for Foreign Affairs: Ray Burke (1997), David Andrews (1997-2000), Brian Cowen (2000-2004), Dermot Ahern (2004-)
- Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform: John O'Donoghue (1997-2002), Michael McDowell (2002-)
- Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment: Mary Harney (1997-2004), Micheál Martin (2004-)
- Minister for Agriculture & Food: Joe Walsh (1997-2004), Mary Coughlan (2004-)
- Minister for Defence: David Andrews (1997), Michael Smith (1998-2004), Willie O'Dea (2004-)
- Minister for Education & Science: Micheál Martin (1997-2000), Michael Woods (2000-2002), Noel Dempsey (2002-2004), Mary Hanafin (2004-)
- Minister for Health & Children: Brian Cowen (1997-2000), Micheál Martin (2000-2004), Mary Harney (2004-)
- Minister for Public Enterprise: Mary O'Rourke (1997-2002)
- Minister for Social, Community & Family Affairs: Dermot Ahern (1997-2002)
- Minister for the Environment & Local Government: Noel Dempsey (1997-2002)
- Minister for the Marine & Natural Resources: Michael Woods (1997-2000), Frank Fahey (2000-2002)
- Minister for Tourism, Sport & Recreation: Jim McDaid (1997-2002)
- Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands: Síle de Valera (1997-2002)
Political Career
| Preceded by: Gemma Hussey | Minister for Labour 1987-1991 | Succeeded by: Michael O'Kennedy |
| Preceded by: Albert Reynolds | Minister for Finance 1991-1994 | Succeeded by: Ruairí Quinn |
| Preceded by: Dick Spring | Tánaiste 1994 | Succeeded by: Dick Spring |
| Preceded by: Albert Reynolds | Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party 1994- | Succeeded by: (current incumbant) |
| Preceded by: John Bruton | Leader of the Opposition 1994-1997 | Succeeded by: John Bruton |
| Taoiseach 1997- | Succeeded by: (current incumbant) | |
| Preceded by: Silvio Berlusconi | President of the European Council First Half-Year 2004 | Succeeded by: Jan Peter Balkenende |
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