I never condemn wrongdoing in any area - Bertie Ahern

About Bertie Ahern

Bartholomew Patrick "Bertie" Ahern (born 12 September 1951) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008, Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1994 to 2008, Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1997, Tánaiste and Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht from November 1994 to December 1994, Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1992 to 1994, Minister for Industry and Commerce in January 1993, Minister for Finance from 1991 to 1994, Minister for Labour from 1987 to 1991, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence from March 1982 to December 1982 and Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1986 to 1987. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 2011. Ahern is the second longest-serving Taoiseach after Éamon de Valera, and presided over three coalition governments. He was initially popular for the high economic growth during his tenure and his success negotiating the Good Friday Agreement establishing power-sharing in Northern Ireland. However, his support declined after the Great Recession severely impacted Ireland when the subprime mortgage crisis burst the Irish property bubble. He resigned in favor of Brian Cowen after the Mahon Tribunal began investigating him for corruption.

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