'Great courtesy' to trade unions recalled

GENERAL REACTION: THE ANNOUNCEMENT by Bertie Ahern of his decision to resign prompted tributes from business, religious and sporting groups.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary David Begg said Mr Ahern had always treated the trade union movement with great courtesy throughout his time as Taoiseach.

"Although there were some political differences over the years, Mr Ahern will be held with considerable regard by the trade union movement," he said.

Turlough O'Sullivan, director general of the employers' body, Ibec, said Mr Ahern had made an enormous contribution to the welfare of the island of Ireland.

He said the Taoiseach had showed considerable skills in social partnership, on Northern Ireland and in bringing heads of European governments together towards shared objectives.

"The hard work and intellectual skill involved is rarely appreciated or fully understood, because so much of this is not in public view. On behalf of Ibec, which has worked with him closely for many years, I wish Bertie Ahern every success in whatever he decides to do in future," he said.

Siptu general president Jack O'Connor said Mr Ahern had overseen two enormously significant development during his tenure in office.

"The Good Friday agreement and the development of the political institutions in Northern Ireland have the potential to bring about the reconciliation of all of the people on this island, an objective which evaded us for generations.

"That development has been paralleled by the most dramatic enhancement of economic prosperity in our entire history, in which the social partnership process served as a critical catalyst.

"Although we would differ on the way in which the benefits of this success have been distributed we cannot deny its value . . . Nor can history deny Bertie Ahern's central role in these enormously important and valuable developments," he said.

The Catholic Church primate, Cardinal Seán Brady, said Mr Ahern's political career had been characterised by his hard-working style and his generous helping of those in need in his constituency of Dublin Central and beyond.

"By providing leadership in bringing about permanent peace to our island and by nurturing and growing the mutually respectful and good relationship which now exists between Ireland and Britain, Bertie Ahern's legacy to civil society in Ireland is enormous," he said.

The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Most Revd Dr John Neill, said Mr Ahern had played an important role in developing a new relationship between the State, the churches and other faith groups, in a changing and increasingly diverse society.

"This was an undertaking that clearly interested him greatly. While the Good Friday agreement and its implementation will be remembered as his greatest achievement, I think this work will also be regarded as a constructive legacy and I hope it will be built upon in the years to come," he said.

Outgoing Leinster GAA chairman Liam O'Neill commended Mr Ahern for his support of the GAA during his term of office and said it was great to have a sporting Taoiseach who recognised the true value of sport.

"Of course, it was of particular pleasure to have somebody who followed his own team as a loyal fan, and not only turned up on the big occasions but actually turned up at training sessions.

"He spoke very warmly to the players and had a pleasant relationship with them as a keen supporter and also as Taoiseach," he said.

The People Before Profit Alliance welcomed the announcement, saying Mr Ahern's departure was "long overdue".