Ahern's last day in office

Updated 09.26 Tue May 06 2008
Keywords: Ireland, Bertie Ahern

Irish Premier Bertie Ahern is set to officially step down after 11 years as Taoiseach.

He will meet President Mary McAleese after one of his final acts in office - the opening of the Battle of the Boyne site in Co Louth with outgoing Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley.

Mr Ahern announced his shock resignation early last month amid mounting pressure over his personal finances, which are currently being probed by an anti-corruption inquiry

The 82-year-old Democratic Unionist Party leader is also due to step down this month.

Mr Ahern, 56, will be succeeded by current Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Brian Cowen on Wednesday when the latter will be nominated to the Office in the Dail Parliament.

Mr Ahern announced his shock resignation early last month amid mounting pressure over his personal finances, which are currently being probed by an anti-corruption inquiry.

While denying any wrongdoing, Mr Ahern said he decided to hand over the party reins earlier than expected because he did not want the focus on his finances to create problems for the ruling party.

The Fianna Fail leader, elected Taoiseach in 1997, was the country's second longest serving premier after party founder Eamon De Valera.

Last Sunday Mr Ahern, whose high points in office include the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said he would continue to represent his Dublin Central constituency, but would decide in the future if he would run in the next General Election.

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