Bertie Ahern, the former Taoiseach of Ireland, is a man who has won the respect and admiration of many, including former President of the United States Bill Clinton. In a recent interview with RTE, Clinton spoke highly of Ahern, commenting on his ability to connect with people and his political prowess. As a close friend and political ally, Clinton speaks candidly about his admiration for Ahern, and what makes him a great leader. So, what is it about Bertie Ahern that has earned him such high praise? Let’s take a look.
Former US President, Bill Clinton, former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and former Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, have marked the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement with a panel discussion at Queen’s University in Belfast. The three politicians played key roles in the negotiations leading to the 1998 peace agreement, which ended decades of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. The conference, which featured a range of speakers, was designed to reflect on the settlement and its ongoing impact. The agreement was enshrined in law by the 2006 St Andrews Agreement.
Panel discussion
The panel discussion featuring Clinton, Blair, and Ahern was the highlight of the conference’s first day. Chaired by Clinton’s wife, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is now chancellor of Queen’s University, the three former leaders shared anecdotes and memories of the agreement’s negotiation. The discussion demonstrated their empathy for Northern Ireland and its people, and reflected on the strong friendship forged between the three leaders. During the discussion, Clinton remarked that Ahern had “the kind of BS” he had always wished that he had. Blair paid tribute to Ahern’s resilience in the face of abuse, whilst Ahern praised Blair’s willingness to take tough decisions during the negotiations.
Clinton also remarked that the process of achieving the agreement took a great deal of time and effort, but that in the end, it was achieved with “so much respect for people across the political spectrum that I thought, in the end, these people wouldn’t walk away”. The three leaders were given a standing ovation by the audience.
The agreement’s legacy and future
Speaking earlier in the day, the talks’ chairman, Senator George Mitchell, noted the need for other leaders to safeguard and build upon the agreement’s achievements. Blair echoed this message in his concluding remarks, stating that although Northern Ireland now represented a “much better place” than it did before the agreement, there was still vital work to be done. He called on today’s leaders to “know in your heart of hearts what the right is, and you can just get on and do it.”
The anniversary of the settlement is an opportunity to reflect on the agreement’s successes and its ongoing challenges. On Monday, Ulster University launched an exhibition of video interviews with negotiators who took part in the talks. The university’s Professor Brandon Hamber has also produced a new book on the agreement, which explores its impact on Northern Ireland’s society, politics and peace.
Speakers at the Queen’s University conference discussed the issue of how Brexit may affect the agreement. The border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic is the only land border between the European Union (EU) and the UK. There are concerns that the UK’s departure from the EU may result in a hard border and tension between the two countries, potentially threatening the peace agreement.
There are also ongoing political tensions in Northern Ireland between the region’s main political parties, the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin President, Mary Lou McDonald, addressed the Queen’s University conference, in which she criticised the UK government’s EU exit strategy, whilst advocating for the reunification of Ireland. The party has been seeking a referendum on the issue.
The Belfast Agreement remains an important milestone in Northern Ireland’s history and offers up lessons for peace negotiations and conflict resolution worldwide. However, it is clear that the agreement’s centrepiece – the relationship between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic – remains somewhat fragile, and that many issues remain to be addressed.
