A political profile of the new leader of Fianna Fáil Bertie Ahern.
Bertie Ahern was first elected as a Fianna Fáil TD in the Dublin Finglas Constituency in 1977. Since 1981, he has represented Dublin Central and has become a poll topper in recent elections. He served as Minister for Labour from 1987 to 1991, a role in which he developed a relationship with the trade union movement. He was involved in negotiating the Programme for National Recovery and the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. He intervened in the ESB and Waterford Glass disputes. In 1989, Bertie Ahern with Albert Reynolds negotiated a coalition agreement with the Progressive Democrats. He was also tasked with directing what was deemed a disastrous presidential election campaign for Brian Lenihan.
Bertie Ahern made his reputation in Fianna Fáil by constantly supporting the leader in situ right through the turbulent Haughey era.
Always seen as loyal to the party leader Bertie Ahern was to become Minister for Finance when Albert Reynolds was fired. When Charles Haughey finally stepped aside, Bertie Ahern and Albert Reynolds were seen as the two main contenders for leadership of the party. However, Bertie Ahern did not stand in that contest. Now, his popularity is seen as essential to the revival of Fiann Fáil particularly in Dublin.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 19 November 1994. The reporter is Donagh McGrath.
