Ahern the 'ultimate paradox - a sociable loner'

ENDA KENNY:TAOISEACH BERTIE Ahern was the "ultimate paradox - a sociable loner", according to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

"I can accurately suggest that you are at home in a crowd, but at one with your garden," he said to Mr Ahern.

The Fine Gael leader had known "few who could come near you in terms of diligence to your job". He also described Mr Ahern as having an "unequalled zest for people".

In a tribute which focused particularly on Mr Ahern's personal skills, the Fine Gael leader said that "for him, people were never an interruption to his main task - they were his main task. They were the focus, the purpose and the point of his political life."

To each person, "he gave his concentrated, infinitely respectful attention". He "heard, absorbed, responded, remembered and attended to those individuals. Nor was he a man who later peddled stories about the people who confided in him for help.

"He has never been that kind of politician. In fact, that is one of the traits of Bertie Ahern that is little noticed."

Mr Ahern "is popular not because he draws attention to himself by being entertaining, anecdotal or great craic, but because he draws attention away from himself. He is always and everywhere focused on others". For them "to be listened to by the man was to feel valued and important". Mr Kenny said that "he is a silent, supportive listener, rather than the life and soul of the party. He is a mirror of other people's needs".

The Fine Gael leader said that "it is tough to relinquish power and particularly tragic in some cases, for people who love either protocol or vanity and who suffer from pride. The Taoiseach has none of these problems. I do not believe you have any personal vanity," he said to Mr Ahern.

In reference to the Taoiseach's political achievements Mr Kenny said "you have done the State some exemplary service. I do not want to stand here and be seen to be discordant or hypocritical, but the Taoiseach knows my stated opinions on other subjects that are not a matter for discussion today."

"I give the Taoiseach full credit for his involvement in chairing the European Council in Dublin during our presidency. It was a wonderful outcome and in keeping with your qualities as a negotiator. I want to give him full credit for the part he played as Taoiseach and his persistence, diligence and commitment in bringing to conclusion the Good Friday Agreement."

Quoting Thomas Jefferson Mr Kenny said "'I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy as cause for withdrawing from a friend' and I say this to you."