Bertie Ahern

The Mahon Tribunal examined payments received by Ahern, sterling deposits and financial "dig-outs". Its final report concluded that he had not provided a truthful explanation for the origin of substantial sums.

State of the evidence

testimony, payments and Mahon Tribunal findings documented

Legal status — source text

public inquiry findings; no criminal conviction or finding of corruption concerning the funds in question

Attribution

Ahern directly implicated in findings concerning his explanation of certain funds

The decentralisation plan envisaged relocating more than 10,000 public servants outside Dublin. It was criticised for inadequate preparation and was implemented only partially.

State of the evidence

plan, difficulties and partial abandonment documented

Legal status — source text

no legal proceedings

Attribution

political responsibility of the Ahern government

The Ahern government sought to introduce electronic voting nationwide despite criticism over the absence of a paper audit trail and security concerns. The machines cost more than 50 M€ and were ultimately abandoned.

State of the evidence

purchase, technical controversies and abandonment documented

Legal status — source text

no personal criminal proceedings

Attribution

political responsibility as head of government; operational implementation handled by the Department of the Environment

In April 2008, Ahern announced that he would leave office after eleven years as Taoiseach, while controversies over his finances and testimony before the Mahon Tribunal dominated political life.

State of the evidence

resignation announcement and context documented

Legal status — source text

no criminal conviction associated with the resignation

Attribution

personal political responsibility

Ahern confirmed that he had made a payment to Revenue concerning sums received in the 1990s, while maintaining that he remained fully tax compliant.

State of the evidence

payment to Revenue and public statements documented

Legal status — source text

no criminal tax conviction established

Attribution

personal responsibility for his tax obligations and declarations

Addressing the ICTU congress, Ahern stated that he could not understand why people who remained complaining about the economy did not commit suicide, provoking strong reactions from suicide prevention organisations.

State of the evidence

remarks and apology documented

Legal status — source text

no legal proceedings

Attribution

personal responsibility for his remarks

The Ahern government maintained landing and overflight rights for US forces during the invasion of Iraq. The decision was criticised as incompatible with Irish neutrality.

State of the evidence

government decision, Dáil vote and protests documented

Legal status — source text

no personal criminal proceedings

Attribution

political responsibility as Taoiseach