[anewspace]

Hi

On Monday Will St Leger, Irish street artist covered the Irish Molly Malone statue in Special Bertie 500euro notes in reference to recent allegations of the Mahon Tribunal that the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern received IR£50,000 from builders for planning applications



See video at
www.anewspace.info/page2.htm
or

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WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

Wed 2nd of April

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has announced that he will tender his resignation to President Mary McAleese on 6 May.
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In an emotional speech surrounded by his Government colleagues, Mr Ahern expressed thanks to his supporters over more than three decades in the corridors of power.

He said his announcement was solely motivated by what is in the best interests of the people and said recent developments had not motivated his decision.

However Mr Ahern said he had no doubt that a simplistic analysis will suggest that his decision was influenced by more recent events at the Tribunal.

Mr Ahern insisted he had never put personal interest above the public good.

'I have never done anything to corrupt my office' he said. 'I know in my heart of hearts that I have done no wrong and wronged no one.'

During the statement at Government Buildings, the Taoiseach stressed that he had never received a corrupt payment.

He said he feared 'the constant barrage' of commentary on tribunal-related matters would continue to dominate the political agenda at what he described as 'an important point for our country.'

Surrounded by his ministers, he said he had been humbled with 'the great responsibility' of leading the nation and expressed his belief that all levels of Irish society had seen their well being improved while he served as Taoiseach.

Mr Ahern said it was an extraordinary honour to be elected as Taoiseach and gave his thanks to his Fianna Fáil colleagues.

He also acknowledged the steadfast support from the coalition parties and Independents who supported his Government.

'Just as stability is important in a coalition Government, it is even more vital in a political organisation.'

Mr Ahern said he had first sought election to the office of Taoiseach on the pledge that he would put people before politics. He had kept that promise.

He said he had always placed the interests of the Irish people above his own. Therefore, he would not allow issues relating to his own person to dominate the body politic as this would be contrary to the long-term interests of the Irish people.

The Taoiseach stressed he wanted everyone to understand one truth above all else: never in all the time that he had served in public life had he ever put his own personal interests ahead of the public good.

Mr Ahern said he had provided more details about his own personal finances than any person in public life who had held office.

And while he was the first to admit that he had made mistakes in his life and in his career, one mistake he never made was to enrich himself by misusing the trust of the people.

Mr Ahern said he had never done anything to dishonour any office that he had ever held.