There have been mixed reactions in Cork to the news that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to resign from his position on May 6.

Niamh Walsh watches as Bertie Ahern resigns. O'Callaghans, Oliver Plunket Street, Cork Picture: Provision

In an emotional statement from the steps of Government Buildings yesterday morning (Wednesday, April 2) the Taoiseach told the media, his colleagues and the public that he will tender his resignation to President Mary McAleese when he returns from a trip to the US next month.

He said that he felt he had been privileged to have served for many years in public life and to have contributed to an unrivalled era of peace, prosperity and progress on this island, but, that it was of real concern to him that the important work of government and the party was being over shadowed by issues relating to him at the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments.

In a moment that will be remembered for years to come the Taoiseach added, "having reflected on the need to ensure that the work of my ministerial colleagues is not distracted from by incessant publicity about the Tribunal, I have decided of my own volition to bring forward the date [of retirement]. I will complete my duties over the course of the next month and following on from my return from the United States and the State Visit to Ireland by the Prime Minister of Japan; it is my intention to tender my resignation to President McAleese on Tuesday 6 May."

Local representatives had mixed reactions to the news yesterday with opposition politicians saying the announcement was inevitable while many of his own party colleagues noted how unexpected and sudden the news was.

However, while the political parties reacted differently to the news, they all agreed that the Taoiseach would leave a real legacy behind him. Fine Gael's Simon Coveney summed it up well when he commented, "It's a political giant stepping down and the human side of that is significant. He's been Taoiseach as long as I've been in politics, and he deserves recognition, especially for his work in the North. He inherited the country in good financial health and managed it well, although there has been a decline in recent years."

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