Taoiseach supports idea of united Ireland

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that he is a supporter of a united Ireland but one based on the principles of consent.

Mr Ahern said that a united Ireland could "only happen in the long-term" and only if it is done without coercion or threats.

The Taoiseach told RTÉ's This Weekprogramme: "People will see that, on the island of Ireland, one administration is better than being in any way answerable to a British establishment."

Mr Ahern also told the programme that his decision to retire was made while reflecting on the period of the Good Friday Agreement and that he had previously planned to step down after the local and European elections.

He said: "I was going to go after the local elections anyway, I mean that was the reality. People probably have had enough of me after 30 years".

Mr Ahern also called the controversy surrounding him at the Mahon tribunal "just auld nonsense" before adding "I would save myself and everyone else all of that rather than letting get that stuff feed into what has been a great 31 years, and I’d give myself and everyone else a break".

The Taoiseach revealed that as far as he is concerned there were very few dissenting voices to his leadership within the party.

He said: "I’m in a position where I have no problems with my party - there probably might be a handful of people in the party who can’t tolerate me, but that’s not bad after 14 years the leader, after being there 30 years".

Finally Mr Ahern revealed that Fianna Fáil cabinet ministers broke down crying together when he told them of his decision to retire.

He said: "I sat in this room during the week where I think for the first time in my life I wanted to get out of a Fianna Fáil meeting quick.

"All of the men and all of the women were collectively crying.

"I said ‘jesus I don’t need anymore of this, get me out of here’".