2 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.

3 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.

4 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 lead 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 http://www.eu2004.ie ) 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 Jos%E9 Dur%E3o Barroso as next President of the European Commission
• Irelands reaction to the 2001 UK foot and mouth crisis

5 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.

6 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.

7 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 Transport: Séamus Brennan ( 2002- 2004), Martin Cullen ( 2004-)
• Minister for Social, Community & Family Affairs: Dermot Ahern ( 1997- 2002)
  • Minister for Social & Family Affairs: Mary Coughlan ( 2002- 2004), Séamus Brennan ( 2004-)
• Minister for the Environment & Local Government: Noel Dempsey ( 1997- 2002)
  • Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government: Martin Cullen ( 2002- 2004), Dick Roche ( 2004-)
• Minister for the Marine & Natural Resources: Michael Woods ( 1997- 2000), Frank Fahey ( 2000- 2002)
  • Minister for Communications & the Marine: Dermot Ahern ( 2002- 2004), Noel Dempsey ( 2004-)
• Minister for Tourism, Sport & Recreation: Jim McDaid ( 1997- 2002)
  • Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism: John O'Donoghue ( 2002-)
• Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands: Síle de Valera ( 1997- 2002)
  • Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs: Eamon Ó Cúiv ( 2002-)

8 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

Tánaistithe na hÉireann
Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh | Seán F. Lemass | William Norton | Seán MacEntee | Frank Aiken | Erskine H. Childers | Brendan Corish | George Colley | Michael O'Leary | Ray MacSharry | Dick Spring | Peter Barry | Brian Lenihan | John P. Wilson | Bertie Ahern | Mary Harney
Vice-Presidents of the Executive Council Kevin O'Higgins | Ernest Blythe | Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh

Taoisigh na hÉireann
Eamon de Valera | John A. Costello | Seán F. Lemass | Jack M. Lynch | Liam T. Cosgrave | Charles J. Haughey | Garret FitzGerald | Albert Reynolds | John Bruton | Bertie Ahern
Presidents of the Executive Council Eamon de Valera | William T. Cosgrave

Ahern, Bertie Ahern, Bertie Ahern, Bertie

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