02/04/2008
Bye Bye Bertie
The Irish Taoiseach has announced he will resign amidst an array of controversy over his financial affairs.
Bertie Ahern called a short notice press conference in Dublin on Wednesday morning starting a frenzy of speculation he would announce his resignation.
The Irish premier had just won a significant High Court battle to stop the Mahon Tribunal, which had dogged his recent political career, from exacting certain information from Mr Ahern and compelling the hearing to submit a range of financial documents to his legal team.
Mr Ahern, 56, has said he will leave office by May 6. He has been Ireland's leader for 11 years, but recent pressure about his financial inconsistencies have made his tenure impossible.
Investigators say they have uncovered more than $150,000 in undocumented cash deposits in his bank accounts.
Rumours recently abounded that a vote of no confidence could be demanded in the Dáil. After several senior members of Mr Ahern's party failed to say they believed his version of events, as given in the Mahon Tribunal, speculation that a vote of no confidence could oust the leader took hold, making the present Taoiseach's position untenable.
TD Brian Cowen, is said to be favourite to take over as Taoiseach.
(DW/JM)
Bertie Ahern called a short notice press conference in Dublin on Wednesday morning starting a frenzy of speculation he would announce his resignation.
The Irish premier had just won a significant High Court battle to stop the Mahon Tribunal, which had dogged his recent political career, from exacting certain information from Mr Ahern and compelling the hearing to submit a range of financial documents to his legal team.
Mr Ahern, 56, has said he will leave office by May 6. He has been Ireland's leader for 11 years, but recent pressure about his financial inconsistencies have made his tenure impossible.
Investigators say they have uncovered more than $150,000 in undocumented cash deposits in his bank accounts.
Rumours recently abounded that a vote of no confidence could be demanded in the Dáil. After several senior members of Mr Ahern's party failed to say they believed his version of events, as given in the Mahon Tribunal, speculation that a vote of no confidence could oust the leader took hold, making the present Taoiseach's position untenable.
TD Brian Cowen, is said to be favourite to take over as Taoiseach.
(DW/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 April 2003
Blair and Ahern confident despite latest peace hiccup
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appeared at a Downing Street press conference yesterday, and confidently predicted that the latest hiccup in the Northern Ireland peace process could be overcome.
Blair and Ahern confident despite latest peace hiccup
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appeared at a Downing Street press conference yesterday, and confidently predicted that the latest hiccup in the Northern Ireland peace process could be overcome.
21 January 2011
Dáil Election Set In Resignations Chaos
Ireland's Prime Minister Brian Cowen has announced that he intends to dissolve parliament and call a general election on 11 March. Mr Cowen was addressing parliament after five ministers resigned from the cabinet, prompting uproar in the Dáil yesterday. He said that existing ministers would take on the work of those who had quit.
Dáil Election Set In Resignations Chaos
Ireland's Prime Minister Brian Cowen has announced that he intends to dissolve parliament and call a general election on 11 March. Mr Cowen was addressing parliament after five ministers resigned from the cabinet, prompting uproar in the Dáil yesterday. He said that existing ministers would take on the work of those who had quit.
23 March 2004
Dispute halts postal deliveries in parts of Ireland
Representatives of the Irish postal service, An Post, and the Communication Workers' Union will meet tomorrow under the wing of the Labour Relations Commission for talks aimed at ending industrial action that has halted deliveries in some areas.
Dispute halts postal deliveries in parts of Ireland
Representatives of the Irish postal service, An Post, and the Communication Workers' Union will meet tomorrow under the wing of the Labour Relations Commission for talks aimed at ending industrial action that has halted deliveries in some areas.
21 September 2007
Taoiseach Meets President Sarkozy In Paris
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is travelling to Paris today for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Speaking before his departure, Mr Ahern said: "I am looking forward to meeting with President Sarkozy in Paris as this is the first opportunity that we have had to meet bilaterally since his election last May.
Taoiseach Meets President Sarkozy In Paris
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is travelling to Paris today for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Speaking before his departure, Mr Ahern said: "I am looking forward to meeting with President Sarkozy in Paris as this is the first opportunity that we have had to meet bilaterally since his election last May.
07 February 2008
UK And Irish Leaders Meet
High level talks are to be held this weekend between Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The two men are set to meet in Manchester on Sunday to discuss the planned devolution of policing and justice in Northern Ireland, before attending a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
UK And Irish Leaders Meet
High level talks are to be held this weekend between Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The two men are set to meet in Manchester on Sunday to discuss the planned devolution of policing and justice in Northern Ireland, before attending a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.