140. Bertie Ahern: Former Taoiseach

Episode 140 brings Fender Jackson face to face with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Bertie was one of the key people who helped bring about the Good Friday Agreement and therefore ending the 30 year conflict known as The Troubles. Bertie gives his overview of his involvement as well as his assessment of where things are at currently in the North and beyond.

Conversation includes: introductions; an overview of the North of Ireland from the 1950s; the Civil Rights movement; Charlie Haughey and Albert Reynolds; John Major; the 1993 Downing Street Declaration; the 1994 ceasefire; 1995 talks; 1996 ceasefire ending; Tony Blair and Bertie being elected in 1997; September 1997 ceasefire; 1998 Good Friday Agreement; the priority of the GFA being to end the mayhem; Omagh; the satisfaction vs. the disappointment of the process; how Bertie got into the world of politics; being on the debating committee at school on October 5th 1968; the Civil Rights movements in USA, France and Prague; being in a house full of politics and sport; maintaining an interest in the politics of the North; Sunningdale Agreement of 1974; Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985; Brookes/Mayhew Talks; the Three Strands being the internal situation of Northern Ireland, the North/South Ministerial Council and the Irish/British relationship; Brexit; Hilary Benn; negotiating with Tony Blair before either got in power; Bertie’s assessment of the current standing of the 3 Strands; Kenneth Clarke; the Tory Party not really getting the situation of the North; political inertia; reaching out to the Unionist Parties; Conway Mills and Glengall St; Ken Maginnis; Reg Empey; John Taylor; David Trimble; David Irvine; Gary McMichael; Martin McGuinness; Gerry Adams; Blair’s childhood trips to Donegal; trips to Downing St and Chequers; Bertie’s parents; the Shannon Free Zone; George Mitchell; Bertie’s very personal grief in the most critical week; Griffith Avenue; the celebrations on Good Friday; whether or not there could be a return to violence; Shared Island Initiative; his assessment of the current situation in the north; advice to people with troubled relationships; Gaza; Sudan and other topics.

Relevant Links

https://www.bertieahernoffice.com

https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/as-i-remember-it-bertie-ahern-the-good-friday-agreement

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