Tears in Kildare Street
I don’t know about Bertie, but I’m blushing at the tributes fellow politicians are paying him. Ass kissing time. Here’s a few choice words that Enda has for Bertie:
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.
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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.
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When people ask me whether I ever was jealous of Bertie Ahern, I reply that I never was. However, I suffered from envy on the odd occasion, one of which took place at Croke Park when Mayo played Dublin. The Taoiseach went onto the pitch and the band played the Taoiseach’s salute.
Right, Enda. Just jealous of going out on the Croker with Mayo. Jesus, I’d be worried how ambitious Enda is. So, Enda would rather be out on Croker than comfortably ensconced in the Taoiseach’s office? Ooops.
Labour’s Eamon Gilmore joined the slurp party congratulating Ahern on his contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland. He got a few digs in an economic growth though:
The Taoiseach enjoyed office during a time of rapid and sustained economic growth, conditions that would have been the envy of any of his ten 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. There was a great growth in personal wealth, for some at least. There was a huge increase in the number of people in employment. You showed a great commitment to the social partnership process and delivered a period of almost unprecedented industrial peace. While there were other things we believe you could and should have done, that analysis can be left for another day.
Eamon Ryan chimed in. He reminised through teary eyes, I’m sure. Lots of one-person talk too. But Eamon, today isn’t about you!
I wish to characterise the Taoiseach’s clearest and main legacy. I speak as a member of a party which prides itself on having consensus politics as our foundation and roots. He was good at consensus politics and skilful in applying them to the historic issue we faced on this island in terms of sovereignty. He applied consensus politics to Europe like no other European politician has managed to do. Nobody else has had the same success in pulling people together. I have seen him in action during the 11 months I have been in government and it is interesting to see how he works. Sometimes an issue comes to a head and we do not agree on it or think it will work. He would approach it, let it back out and give it some time before returning to it so that people have the chance to work through words and see if a consensus decision can be found.
You gotta love Mary Harney:
You are the only socialist I could say so many nice things about. The former Minister for Finance said there was only one other socialist in the Dáil but he has not told me yet who is that other person - perhaps he has told the Taoiseach.
Oh, and Brian Cowen chipped in too. But his comments were predictable and boring. The tributes start here.
Edit: Cleaning up formatting