The economy may be in its boots throughout the world and the country in a big big mess (reading the ESRI report today is not for the queasy). However Bertie Ahern and his Office of the Iar Taoiseach are still finding invites to talk about the economic miracle that he (says he) was responsible for and the peace process. The Bertie Earner is back!
Last week Bertie was near the Niger Delta in Nigeria attending a South-South Economic Summit holding at the Tinapa Business and Resort Centre, Calabar. He was invited there by politicians and media to enrich discussions on two fronts –
sharing his experience of rapid economic development and job creation under his watch in Ireland as well as the peace process he negotiated along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to bring about lasting solution to the Northern Ireland political crisis.
But Bertie was not resolved at merely remembering times past! Ah No!
The Prime Minister of Ireland from 1997 to 2008, Hon. Bertie Ahern has recommended the strategy used in resolving the three- decade long Northern Ireland conflict between the nationalist and unionist communities in the European country, for resolving the Niger Delta crisis.
Ahern made the suggestion at a luncheon sponsored by THISDAY Newspapers during the first South-South Regional Economic Summit which ended in Calabar, Cross River State yesterday.
But one of the Nigerian State Governors in attendance at the summit was not really on for the peace strategy outlined by Mr. Ahern -
He was busy outlining the death penalty he was going to organise for those militants captured….
…as Ahern was offering solutions to the Niger Delta crisis, Governor Akpabio vowed to kill all suspected militants in his state, stressing that they were mere criminals parading as militants in the state.
…”I have submitted a bill for the death sentence for anyone that carries a gun to terrorize another citizen. I am going to kill them. We have to put everything in place to safeguard the future of our children.
As for the economy well Bertie Ahern went into sean-nos mode remembering of the lore which is Irish fiscal rectitude!
“It’s a great achievement for our people that we went beyond what was probable to what was possible by taking our destiny in our hands.
The best way to maximise benefits in a society is to encourage people to produce more. Ireland’s competitiveness is underpinned by the fact there was consistent investment in infrastructure.”
Ahern stressed that it’s important for the government to allow the private sector take the lead in driving the economy.
No mention of pension and income levies or the hit he will take if his ministerial pension is removed while he remains a TD.
And like his last Bertie Earner, The Iar Taoiseach hightailed it back to Dublin in time for a special event which this time was the Fianna Fáil Commemoration at Arbour Hill and as Miriam Lord notes today he was voting in the Dáil last night.
> “Hon. Bertie Ahern”
Now that’s got to be irony…
Keith he’s known as the Honourable Bertie Ahern abroad – I’ve cited it before – Maybe during ‘Bertie in Honduras’…I’ll find it
There is no title given by this State, ie. Iar Taoiseach, Hon., lord or lady – it’s in the constitution somewhere. If Bertie uses an “Honorable” as his title, it is just indicative of the giant ego. “Former” would be much more acceptable. Surely you’re thinking of Bertie from Manilla, where the envelopes come from rather than honduras… LOL
Irish Election » Bertie is no longer buzzing. // Apr 29, 2009 at 17:48
[...] he seems to be spending his time. On Africa. Which might tie up with his trip to Nigeria But it seems that concentrating on local issues pales in comparison with his work for the World [...]
Maman Poulet » How much is a Bertie Earner worth? // Mar 15, 2010 at 19:25
[...] the Bertie Earner and how last year our Iar-Taoiseach went on 16 foreign trips including visits to Nigeria, Honduras, and New York and took up a position writing for the News of the World, on the subject of [...]
Bertie talks about Nigeria… again // Apr 14, 2011 at 00:43
[...] the Honourable Mr. Ahern anywhere out foreign giving one of his speeches let us know! Bertie of course has form in Nigeria as regular readers may [...]
i hope he stays there nigeria and bertie deserve each other ..
i remember when bertie went on a flying visit to africa a few years ago.. prior to that irish visitors paid very little for a visa, because they were helped out over the years by ireland setting up some civil service systems there and giving a lot of help money etc, after berties visit the visa went up to 100 euros, i think bertie told them that we were so rich anyone going there could well afford the 100 euros,,, and he is still prob doing it, has he no shame? or any honour at all?
Honourable mr ahern is doing a grate job over in Nigeria exspecialy over the conflict of the south south of Nigeria.God guildance to crown your Job over in african.
Bert -plz tell us when we can experience the “soft-landing” as predicted by you and those who pay homage to Mammon your god-is it when we re-emerge from the other side of Everest? Bert any good tip as you seem to have earned a fortune from the gee gees
Democracy;equality justice-and basic human rights .Then why does Bertie get almost 400000 euros a year in pensions -a car with a chauffeur-and expenses-plus 30000 dollars for his “Ireland as a Model for Prosperity” speeches in third world countries?
I am struggling to survive because of him on a meager 9800 per annum.
Only people that are aware the effects of militant and terror in a country can make good suggestion on how to solve the problem.Bertie Ahern has made substential role in providing peace in Northern Ireland, which has mode him role model of all time. I believe his presence will make an impact in achieving a dessired result in Nigeria-Niger Delter problem.
advice from bertie what a joke.he should be in jail with his banker buddies.
It really is worrying to read the above comments from Nigerian nationals. Your country is in ruins for pretty much the same reason as ours is, corruption. Sort it out.
ah lads tis isnt hee only doing his duty probable getin a dig out from his new friends sob sob remember the 1 crocidile tear in his interview with rte. once a money junkie ?