McAleese compliments contributions

PRESIDENT'S TRIBUTE: PRESIDENT MARY McAleese paid tribute to the Taoiseach following the announcement that he will resign next month.

Mrs McAleese said she had received notification yesterday morning of Mr Ahern's decision to step down.

Mr Ahern has been Taoiseach for the entirety of her time as President, which began in 1997.

"As Mr Ahern prepares to leave office, I would like to compliment him warmly on his achievements as Taoiseach," Mrs McAleese said.

"His contributions to our thriving economy and to peace in Northern Ireland were hugely important and he deserves every credit for the work he has done.

"Bertie Ahern will be remembered as one of the outstanding politicians of his generation, both nationally and internationally."