POLITICAL FRIENDS and foes paid tribute to Bertie Ahern yesterday on his last day in the Dáil as Taoiseach. He was given a standing ovation by TDs on all sides of the House at the conclusion of the special debate to mark the occasion, writes STEPHEN COLLINS, Political Editor
Taoiseach-elect Brian Cowen emphasised that Mr Ahern was a tremendous political strategist and he also stressed the importance of loyalty in politics.
"I stated here in one of the heated debates recently about his fitness and suitability for office, about which I never had a question, that loyalty is a political virtue. It is not the sole political virtue but it is one," he said.
"I am convinced that unless that trait is displayed in times of difficulty as well as in good times, the ability for us as a Government or as a party to collectively work together is put at risk because there will be good and bad times in politics."
Mr Cowen said that representing the nation at its best was something that had given Fianna Fáil the continuous support of the people.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described Mr Ahern as the ultimate paradox, "a sociable loner" who had an unequalled zest for people. "He 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. He is an absorber of other people's hopes, dreams and problems. He is a silent supportive listener, rather than the life and soul of the party. He is a mirror of other people's needs."
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Mr Ahern was "a lucky taoiseach who came to office at a time of remarkable opportunity".
"The Taoiseach enjoyed office during a time of rapid and sustained economic growth, conditions that would have been the envy of any of his 10 predecessors who had the honour to lead an independent Irish government. You did many positive things in your time in office that will remain as a monument to you," said Mr Gilmore.
However, Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said that while he wished to join the personal good wishes to the Taoiseach, he said he would not join a "back-clapping" exercise, and he condemned the Government's record on health.
Green Party Minister Eamon Ryan said Mr Ahern's main legacy was as a consensus politician who had applied his skills to deal with the historic issue of sovereignty that faced the island.
Progressive Democrat Minister Mary Harney said the key to Mr Ahern's successes was his personal qualities. "There are many here who would say nobody really knows Bertie Ahern but one thing I know from my experience over the past 11 years is that nothing is too unimportant for you."
In response, Mr Ahern said he was proud to have been elected Taoiseach three times by the Dáil and he thanked all those in politics and outside it with whom he worked during his political career.
Although he will remain in office as Taoiseach for another two weeks, yesterday was Mr Ahern's last day as Taoiseach in the Dáil. As he will be in the United States next week for his address to Congress, he will be absent from the Dáil.
As the Dáil will not sit on Tuesday, May 6th, because of the May bank holiday weekend, Mr Ahern will not be back in the House before he hands in his letter of resignation to the President that evening.
Mr Ahern will be in the Seanad today for another round of tributes and on Sunday will lead the Fianna Fáil 1916 commemoration at Arbour Hill. He will have a number of public engagements in the United States after his address to Congress.
On May 6th he will meet Northern First Minister Ian Paisley at the Battle of the Boyne site.