Taoiseach from 1997 until 2008. Ahern resigned from the position of Taoiseach in 2008, but retained his Dáil seat, after questions were raised about his finances. He decided not to contest the 2011 General Election and to retire from politics.
On this date 15 years ago, the Good Friday Agreement was signed. While we have come along way, we shouldn’t take the peace we have for granted, writes Ben English.
It’s true Northern Ireland has come a long way over the last fifteen years, but we cannot afford to hang the ‘mission accomplished’ banner over the peace process, writes David McCann.
The Fianna Fáil leader said he had a “good chat” with his predecessor at a recent funeral but neither Cowen nor Bertie Ahern have any input to party policy.
Politicians are just the same as other public servants – and their expenses should be reduced in line with the sacrifices being made across the country, writes Sarah O’Neill.
Unlike 2011 this was not a year of any seismic shifts in Irish politics but there were plenty of stand-out moments which will have repercussions going into next year and most of them involved one man…
The former taoiseach may have left the party in the wake of damning findings by the Mahon Tribunal but a glowing profile on the Fianna Fáil website remains.
Payments to former Taoisigh for secretarial allowances continued until March – despite Enda Kenny telling the Dáil they would end in January, TheJournal.ie can reveal.
“The majority of people in this country consume alcohol in a moderate, responsible manner that is entirely compatible with a healthy lifestyle and in line with European norms,” said Kathryn D’Arcy, director of Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland.
Some people can no longer afford to drink alcohol, others could be looking after their health, while many have suggested that the reduction in consumption could be related to emigration rates.
So today we want to know what do you think. Have you reduced your alcohol consumption in the past year?
Warmer with sun and clouds
Max: 15 °C
Min: 8 °C
Clouds and sun with a passing shower
Max: 15 °C
Min: 8 °C
