Politics

Elaine Byrne: Don’t let the Bertie-speak obscure why Ahern is not fit to hold the office of president

The former Taoiseach may say the Mahon Tribunal wronged him, but the facts very clearly say otherwise and his recent attempts to change the historical record simply highlight the problems with any possible bid for office

‘In the end of the day, I did nothing wrong’: but the facts disagree with Bertie Ahern. Picture: Niall Carson

There is an actual Wikipedia entry for the Irish political phenomena known as “Bertie-speak”. This unique method of using the English language involves the construction of coherent and logical sentences which are in fact calculated to bemuse and mystify.

Bertie is back with a bang. The former Taoiseach is thoroughly enjoying the positive limelight which the 25th anniversary commemorations of the Good Friday Agreement have justifiably shone in his direction.

The doorstep media interviews on ...