End of an Era: Bertie Ahern

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern

Bryan Dobson speaks to Bertie Ahern as he prepares to step down as Taoiseach

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Bertie Ahern has been Taoiseach for almost 11 years.

The Drumcondra-born politician began his life in politics at the age of 17 when he joined Fianna Fáil.

He became a TD in 1977 and began to progress up the party hierachy, serving in the governments of Charles Haughey and Albert Reynolds.

Prior to attaining the highest office of Government, he held most of the important cabinet portfolios including Finance, Labour and Industry and Commerce.

When Fianna Fáil / Labour Government collapsed in 1994, Mr Ahern was elected leader of his party and three years later, he led Fianna Fáil into coalition with the Progressive Democrats.

During his time as Taoiseach he has won acclaim for the role he played in the peace process - helping to negotiate the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

His spell in office has also seen a period of record economic growth and prosperity, but has been plagued by questions about his financial affairs in the 1990s.

Bertie Ahern was the first Fianna Fáil leader since Eamon De Valera to have won three terms in office for his party.

And on 30 April this year he followed in De Valera's footsteps by becoming the sixth Irish leader to address a Joint Meeting of US Congress.

'In history, in politics and in life, there are no ends, only new beginnings', with those words, Bertie Ahern ended his address in Washington.

Now, the what some have described as 'that most extraordinary ordinary man' will begin the next phase of his life at the age of 56.