“He has an honoured place in Irish hearts and in Irish history.”
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Bertie Ahern
Bartholomew Patrick "Bertie" Ahern is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008, and as Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1994 to 2008. A Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 2011, he served as Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1997. He was also Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1986 to 1987, Tánaiste from November to December 1994, and Minister for Finance from 1991 to 1994.
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politics · Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008 · politician · also Bertie Ahern, Patrick Bartholomew Ahern, Ahern
Born 12 September 1951 · Q154550
103 published statements · 0 followers
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2026· 18 entries
“s achievements in Northern Ireland were”
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“did not end at the graveyard”
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“Normally what happens in this country, if a president does a good job they stay on, so that”
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“I can honestly say that not once did anyone or any delegation that came in to see me ever say,”
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“If there was no downturn and if it wasn”
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“one of the few socialists left in Irish politics”
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“constructive relations with unionists and loyalists as well as with nationalists and republicans”
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Rhode Island Current: Ahern’s new ad invokes praise from Rhode Island’s outgoing AG. But he endorsed her rival.
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Bitcoin News: La organización benéfica dedicada a las criptomonedas del ex primer ministro irlandés Bertie Ahern cierra sus puertas
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DiarioBitcoin: El ex primer ministro irlandés Bertie Ahern disuelve su fundación cripto por inactividad
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The Currency: The crypto charity once chaired by Bertie Ahern is being wound up
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The Irish Times: Bertie Ahern’s comments were highly inappropriate but we need proper debate on immigration
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Irish Sun: Embattled Bertie Ahern called to apologise for ‘dangerous’ immigrants comments amid ‘very bad consequences’ fears
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The Irish Times: Bertie Ahern’s shocking doorstep detonation was no accident. It was a precision exercise
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c-span: Bertie Ahern
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Campaign: 2026 Dublin Central by-election racism accusations.
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While canvassing in the Dublin Central by-election, Ahern was secretly filmed during a conversation about immigration in which he said that "the ones I worry about are the Africans", that he has concerns about the level
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2023· 7 entries
The Guardian: Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern call for return of Stormont power sharing
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IrishCentral: Bertie Ahern concerned about preservation of Irish peace process
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The Guardian: Bertie Ahern backs review of Good Friday agreement if DUP returns to Stormont
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The Guardian: Bertie Ahern warns against reform talks on Good Friday agreement
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Irish Central: Bertie Ahern rejoins Fianna Fáil, fuels speculation of Irish presidential bid
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The Guardian: Solving Northern Ireland Brexit dispute not rocket science, Bertie Ahern says
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Amid speculation he was considering running for president in 2025, but did not run in the end
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2022· 2 entries
The Guardian: ‘Not rocket science’: Bertie Ahern urges UK to return to Brexit talks
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The Guardian: Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern working behind scenes in UK-EU Brexit deadlock
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2019· 2 entries
The Guardian: Any Brexit deal must be acceptable to DUP, says Bertie Ahern
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The Guardian: Belfast not same as Finchley, Bertie Ahern tells Brexit committee
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2017· 2 entries
The Guardian: Irish reunification referendum would be dangerous, says Bertie Ahern
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The Guardian: Northern Ireland peace at risk because of Brexit, says Bertie Ahern
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2016· 2 entries
The Guardian: Brexit could ruin Ireland's food industry, Bruton and Ahern tell Lords
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Fianna Fáil announced that it had given Ahern the option of rejoining the party
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2012· 2 entries
The tribunal's final report found that he failed to "truthfully" explain the source of the money and it rejected his evidence of "dig-outs"
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His idiosyncratic delivery made Ahern a doyen of satirists and impersonators, from Dermot Morgan (in the 90s) to Mario Rosenstock (RTÉ 2 TV, 2012).
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2010· 2 entries
“Brian has had it rough because of the huge international slowdown. The big trick for him is how we can get out of it quickly.”
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“We probably should have closed those down a good bit earlier but there were always fierce pressures, there was endless pressures to keep them. There was endless pressures to extend them.”
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2009· 5 entries
Ahern publicly blamed the banking collapse on policy decisions he made (notably creating a weak financial regulator in 2001) and said he would not repeat them
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Ahern said his decision in 2001, to create the Financial Regulator was one of the main reasons for the collapse of the Irish banking sector and "if I had a chance again I wouldn't do it"
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“life is not as controlled as it was. I”
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Earned around €467,200, from his speaking arrangements alone
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That since he resigned as Taoiseach the previous year, "life is not as controlled as it was
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2008· 7 entries
And the construction industry in decline
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“accounts had come from his salary as a politician.”
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He was commenting on reports that Ahern had claimed €265,000 for "secretarial services" and €7,500 on mobile phone bills since he stepped down in May 2008.
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With a difficult budget for 2008, brought forward by 2 months, as Ireland entered recession, with unemployment expected to rise 5
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And May 2010, he ran up a €5,682 bill for VIP airport facilities and a mobile phone bill of €8,331
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Had also slowed to its lowest levels in over a decade
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Ahern has been a regular visitor to China
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2007· 2 entries
Career landmark: Teachta Dála (2007–2011).
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Campaign: 2007 general election.
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2006· 2 entries
During a heated exchange in the Dáil with Higgins, Ahern bellowed, "You have a failed ideology, you have the most hopeless policy [on housing] that I ever heard pursued by any nitwit
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“I don't know how people who engage in that don't commit suicide”
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2004· 7 entries
Awarded Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas (2004).
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Stressed that democratic partnership was permanent: majoritarian rule was "dead and gone" and Northern institutions must function on the Good Friday Agreement's principles
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Joe Higgins described Ahern's response to questions as "like playing handball against a hay stack
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Career landmark: President-in-Office of the European Council (2004–2004).
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By Fianna Fáil's worst local election results in 80 years
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Was his Presidency of the European Council, during which EU leaders agreed a European Constitution, there was recovery in EU-US relations, the EU formally admitted 10 new members, and selected José Manuel Barroso as Pres
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His ratings rose to 47% before going down to 44% before eventually rising to 60%
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2003· 2 entries
Awarded Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights (2003).
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Ahern's approval rating fell to its low point of 36% following weak economic growth and corruption scandals of his TDs
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2002· 5 entries
Election won: 2002 general election.
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Campaign: 2002 general election.
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Career landmark: Teachta Dála (2002–2007).
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“If I had seen the banking crisis coming. Nobody advised me, no economist, all those people now writing books saying”
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Before details of the Manchester payments were revealed
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2001· 1 entry
To create a new financial regulator was one of the main reasons for the collapse of the Irish banking sector, saying that "if I had a chance again I wouldn't do it
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1998· 1 entry
Following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement with then-UK prime minister Tony Blair
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1997· 2 entries
Career landmark: Teachta Dála (1997–2002).
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Career landmark: Taoiseach (1997–2008).
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1994· 6 entries
Career landmark: Tánaiste (1994–1994).
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Career landmark: Leader of Fianna Fáil (1994–2008).
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Career landmark: Leader of the Opposition (1994–1997).
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Took place in the weeks following the circumstances Gilmartin described, with contemporaneous AIB notes confirming Gilmartin's account of Ahern assuring Owen O'Callaghan that a rival development at Blanchardstown would n
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Where the Taoiseach received a payment of GBP£8,000 (€11,800)
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While Minister for Finance, took a briefcase full of cash to Manchester
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1993· 5 entries
Career landmark: Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (1993–1993).
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The Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and Ahern, who was then Minister for Finance, wrote to developer Owen O'Callaghan seeking a substantial donation
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And 1994 were arranged to give money to Mr Ahern and that large dollar and sterling cash lodgements were made to his bank accounts in the mid-1990s
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Ahern said in an interview that tax cheaters would be jailed
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With money donated to Ahern's constituency organisation in Drumcondra
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1992· 1 entry
Career landmark: Teachta Dála (1992–1997).
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1991· 3 entries
Awarded Great Cross with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1991).
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The Fianna Fáil–Progressive Democrats programme for government was reviewed
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Career landmark: Minister for Finance (Ireland) (1991–1994).
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1990· 2 entries
Ahern was campaign manager for the presidential bid of his cabinet colleague, Brian Lenihan
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Ahern negotiated the Programme for Economic and Social Progress
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1989· 3 entries
Career landmark: Teachta Dála (1989–1992).
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And a payment of £30,000 in 1993, in connection with a development of lands at Quarryvale, west Dublin
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Haughey called an early general election
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1987· 3 entries
Career landmark: Minister for Labour (1987–1991).
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Fianna Fáil returned to power as a minority government
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Career landmark: Teachta Dála (1987–1989).
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1982· 2 entries
Career landmark: Teachta Dála (1982–1987).
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Career landmark: Teachta Dála (1982–1982).
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1981· 1 entry
Career landmark: Teachta Dála (1981–1982).
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1980· 1 entry
Due to the illness of the actual Chief Whip, Seán Moore, he was effectively running the office
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1979· 1 entry
When Charles Haughey and George Colley fought a divisive battle for the position of party leader and Taoiseach, Ahern is believed to have backed Haughey
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1977· 1 entry
Career landmark: Teachta Dála (1977–1981).
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1972· 1 entry
Ahern met Miriam Kelly, a bank official who lived near the Aherns' family home
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1965· 1 entry
Climbing lamp posts to hang election posters in Drumcondra
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1951· 1 entry
Born 1951-09-12.
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