Bertie Ahern Biography

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

Supports the final economic and monetary provisions agreed at Maastricht.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heads the government when Irish becomes an official and working language of the European Union.

Signs the Treaty of Lisbon on behalf of Ireland.