Bye Bye Bertie

The Irish Taoiseach has announced he will resign amidst an array of controversy over his financial affairs.

Bertie Ahern called a short notice press conference in Dublin on Wednesday morning starting a frenzy of speculation he would announce his resignation.

The Irish premier had just won a significant High Court battle to stop the Mahon Tribunal, which had dogged his recent political career, from exacting certain information from Mr Ahern and compelling the hearing to submit a range of financial documents to his legal team.

Mr Ahern, 56, has said he will leave office by May 6. He has been Ireland's leader for 11 years, but recent pressure about his financial inconsistencies have made his tenure impossible.

Investigators say they have uncovered more than $150,000 in undocumented cash deposits in his bank accounts.

Rumours recently abounded that a vote of no confidence could be demanded in the Dáil. After several senior members of Mr Ahern's party failed to say they believed his version of events, as given in the Mahon Tribunal, speculation that a vote of no confidence could oust the leader took hold, making the present Taoiseach's position untenable.

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has issued a statement paying tribute to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern following the announcement.

Mr McGuinness said: "Few people have given as much of their time and energy to the peace process here as Bertie Ahern. He has been deeply involved for many years and the personal input that he made was reflected when he came straight from the graveside of his own mother to participate in a particularly delicate stage of the negotiations."

TD Brian Cowen, is said to be favourite to take over as Taoiseach.

(DW/JM)