PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDLP MLA BURNS: COMMENTS ON AHERN ANNOUNCEMENT
 

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns has commented on the announcement by Bertie Ahern that he intends to resign as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fail on Tuesday 6th May.

Mr Burns commented, “Rather than speculate about issues around his resignation, the SDLP want to reflect today on Bertie Ahern’s positive record.  When he came to office he inherited the peace process and the talks process and ensured that their opportunity for all the people of Ireland was maximized. 

“In the distressing personal circumstances of his mother’s death he was focused and masterful in the final negotiations of the Good Friday Agreement.  His commitment to the North has been shown in his constant involvement either in implementing the Agreement or in initiatives to secure its implementation.  This good work involved not just high profile, high wire negotiations, but a lot of diligent private engagement with many interests.  

“As Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern front loaded North South consideration into the work of all his government departments.  He and his ministers established North South units and engaged very supportively in the SDLP’s North South Makes Sense Campaign, and with Brian Cowen ensured that the North was framed into the National Development Plan.  It is that quality of engagement and practical delivery which served to convince people, not just of his own good motives, but of the South’s benevolent interest in the North’s prosperity. Along with Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern worked to put British Irish relations on an entirely new plain. 

“I cannot pretend that the SDLP did not differ with the Taoiseach at times on the how the Agreement should be upheld and best implemented.  We obviously believe that the two governments made mistakes in their management of the process after the Agreement which contributed to the delays in its implementation.  While we shared our differences of judgement directly with the Taoiseach we have never doubted his motivation or purpose.  Bertie Ahern can be proud not just of his own achievements in office in Ireland and Europe but also of the achievements he has helped to make possible for others and, in the future, for all of us.”

ENDS