Bertie Ahern Biography and Timeline

Luxembourg Monetary Union Negotiations

Advances Ireland's position on convergence and the design of economic and monetary union.

Role range: 1991-1994

Maastricht Monetary Union Agreement

Supports the final economic and monetary provisions agreed at Maastricht.

Role range: 1991-1993 – 1991-1994

Irish Treaty Signature

Signs the Treaty on European Union for Ireland as Minister for Finance alongside Gerry Collins.

Role range: 1991-1993 – 1991-1994

Treaty of Maastricht

Signs the Treaty on European Union for Ireland as Minister for Finance.

Role range: 1991-1993 – 1991-1994

Treaty of Maastricht

Works with Community partners as Ireland accepts the Edinburgh solution to the ratification crisis.

Role range: 1991-1993 – 1991-1994

Taoiseach of Ireland

Takes office as Taoiseach and leads a Fianna Fail-led coalition.

Role range: 1997-2008

Good Friday Agreement

Helps conclude the Good Friday Agreement after intensive multi-party and British-Irish negotiations.

Role range: 1997-2008

Amsterdam Treaty Referendum

Welcomes voter approval of the Amsterdam Treaty in Ireland's constitutional referendum.

Role range: 1997-2008

Accords of Good Friday

Commitment to the settlement is demonstrated in a dual referendum, the North approves the accord by a vote of 71% to 29%, and in the Irish Republic 94% favor it

Referendum

Commitment to the settlement is demonstrated in a dual referendum, the North approves the accord by a vote of 71% to 29%, and in the Irish Republic 94% favor it

Nineteenth Amendment Referendum

Welcomes overwhelming Irish approval of the constitutional changes required by the Good Friday Agreement.

Role range: 1997-2008

Accords of Good Friday

Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor

Accords of Good Friday

Chaired by former US Senator George Mitchell, the talks are advanced by a high-profile set of mediators, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, and President Bill Clinton.

Accords of Good Friday

The accord calls for Protestants to share political power with the minority Catholics, and gives the Republic of Ireland a voice in Northern Irish affairs.

Constitution of Ireland

Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor

Constitution of Ireland

Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor o.

Constitution of Ireland

Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor.

IRA - Accords of Good Friday

Government record concerning the IRA: Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor

IRA - Accords of Good Friday

Historical IRA record under Government of Ireland: Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor

IRA - Accords of Good Friday

IRA context for Bertie Ahern: Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor

IRA

Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor o.

IRA

Catholics are to suspend the goal of a united Ireland-a territorial claim that was the raison detre of the IRA and was written into the Irish Republics constitution, unless the largely Protestant North voted in favor.

Euro Introduced

Heads the government when the euro becomes Ireland's currency for electronic payments and accounting.

Role range: 1997-2008

Euro Introduction

Leads Ireland when the euro becomes the national currency for electronic and accounting purposes.

Role range: 1997-2008

Treaty of Amsterdam Enters into Force

Amsterdam's institutional reforms become legally effective while Ahern leads the Irish government.

Role range: 1997-2008

Lisbon European Council

Represents Ireland as leaders launch the Lisbon strategy for employment, innovation and economic reform.

Role range: 1997-2008

First Nice Treaty Referendum

Acknowledges the referendum rejection of the Treaty of Nice, with 53.9 percent voting no.

Role range: 1997-2008

First Nice Treaty Referendum

Ahern accepts the first Nice referendum defeat and begins consultations on how to address voter concerns.

Role range: 1997-2008

Euro Cash Introduction

Heads the government when euro banknotes and coins replace the Irish pound in everyday use.

Role range: 1997-2008

Euro Cash Changeover

Leads the government as euro banknotes and coins replace the Irish pound in everyday use.

Role range: 1997-2008

Second Nice Treaty Referendum

Irish voters reverse the earlier Nice rejection and approve the treaty by 62.89 percent.

Role range: 1997-2008

Second Nice Treaty Referendum

Irish voters approve Nice at the second referendum, allowing Ahern's government to complete ratification.

Role range: 1997-2008

Second Nice Treaty Referendum Campaign

Campaigns for approval of the Nice Treaty after European assurances concerning Irish neutrality.

Role range: 1997-2008

Treaty of Nice Enters into Force

The Nice Treaty becomes legally effective during Ahern's government, preparing Union institutions for enlargement.

Role range: 1997-2008

Treaty of Accession

Ahern represents Ireland as the Athens agreement prepares ten candidate countries for Union membership.

Role range: 2003-2004 – 1997-2008

Sixth Irish EU Presidency

Begins Ireland's sixth Council Presidency with enlargement and constitutional negotiations as central priorities.

Role range: 1997-2008

Day of Welcomes

Hosts celebrations welcoming ten new countries during the largest enlargement in European Union history.

Role range: 1997-2008

European Union Enlargement

Leads the Irish EU Presidency as ten new member states join the European Union.

Role range: 1997-2008

European Constitutional Treaty Agreement

Helps broker unanimous political agreement on the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe.

Role range: 1997-2008

European Constitutional Treaty

Signs the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe on behalf of Ireland.

Role range: 1997-2008