Labour says departure will allow country concentrate on its problems

POLITICAL REACTION:TAOISEACH BERTIE Ahern was responsible for some remarkable achievements in office, but his resignation is to be welcomed, Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said in a statement.

He said he hoped Mr Ahern's departure would allow the Government, the Dáil and the country to concentrate on "the mounting social and economic problems facing Irish society".

"I came to the conclusion many months ago that Mr Ahern would find it impossible to continue in office because of the mounting conflicts and contradictions between the statements he originally made about his financial affairs and the evidence uncovered by the Mahon tribunal.

"As far back as last year I urged him to name a date for his departure, and suggested that the immediate aftermath of his address to the US Congress would mark an appropriate point.

"Mr Ahern has now recognised the seriousness of the situation in which he finds himself, and has set the date for his departure that I had suggested."

Mr Gilmore continued: "He has had some remarkable achievements in his period in office and, in particular, nobody will dispute the huge personal and political effort he put into securing a political settlement in Northern Ireland."

Sinn Féin deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin told reporters at Leinster House: "It is the right decision for the Taoiseach; the right decision for the nation as a whole. I do believe that it offers an opportunity now not merely for a change in personnel at the helm of this Government, if it is indeed to continue, but what we want to see is a change in policy direction."

EU commissioner and former finance minister Charlie McCreevy said: "I have known Bertie for over 30 years as a loyal friend, a tireless TD and community worker, a brilliant organiser and conciliator, and at government level as an outstanding negotiator, healer and tactician.

"At a personal level, I always enjoyed working with him. I will be forever grateful to him for appointing me as minister for finance and giving me the opportunity to introduce so many changes in economic policy. Our true friendship and mutual trust was perhaps the most important key to the success of our approach in government.

"His even temperament and masterly interpersonal skills were such that, despite all the years working with him as minister for finance - and our somewhat divergent political philosophies - we never once fell out. For him that is a real tribute. For me it is a lifetime record."

Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea also paid tribute to Mr Ahern. "I was honoured to work and serve with him in Government, and saw at first hand his complete and total devotion to working for the public good.

"This devotion has been - and will always be - recognised by the Irish people despite the best efforts of his detractors."

Asked about Mr Ahern's legacy, former Downing Street spokesman Alastair Campbell told interviewer Eamon Keane on Newstalk: "The one thing you'd have to say looking at it from the British perspective is his role in the Northern Ireland peace process. Lots of people take different credit, that's their game, but the truth is it's like a massive jigsaw puzzle and the big pieces fitted together and he was one of the big pieces."

National chairman of Labour Youth Enda Duffy said: "The Taoiseach's position had become even more untenable in recent weeks than it had been for some time now. What was truly pathetic in relation to this issue was the sycophantic and supine attitude of Government Ministers in their defence of the indefensible."

Young Fine Gael said in a statement: "Following Mr Ahern's departure, the people of Ireland deserve a chance to deliver a verdict on his accomplices in this affair. Only a general election can draw a line under the Ahern era, and it is our belief that trust in public life can only be restored by the removal of Fianna Fáil from office."

The Socialist Workers' Party said: "Bertie Ahern was a politician who consistently looked after the interests of the rich in Ireland - from tax amnesties to low taxes on profits.

"His legacy is an era when wealth was transferred from Ireland's workers to the rich."