‘Cunning and capable’ Bertie Ahern’s republicanism could be an asset, British diplomats thought

Among files declassified at the Public Record Office in Belfast is a restricted telegram sent from the embassy to the Foreign Office on November 21, 1994, two days after Mr Ahern had succeeded Albert Reynolds as Fianna Fail leader.

Under the heading ‘Bertie Ahern, the next Taoiseach?’, the cable said that Mr Ahern was “a committed constitutional republican” and a “successful Minister for Finance”.

It said: “At 43, Bertie (baptised but never referred to as Bartholomew) Ahern is the youngest ever leader of Fianna Fail.

“A cheerful down to earth and unpretentious North Dublin politician, his strengths are his popular touch, negotiating skills and unrivalled local constituency base, built up on the street.”

It said that “he has shown an ability to master details and to assess the other side’s bottom line, together with firmness. Despite his disingenuous manner, Charles Haughey once described him as one of the most devious and cunning men he knew.”

It went on: “As Finance Minister, Ahern has impressed officials by his mastery of difficult briefs and insistence on sound economic policies and management reform of the public sector...but he has not been particularly successful in controlling public spending.”

The embassy said that Mr Ahern’s familial republicanism could assist in persuading the Republic to drop Articles two and three of its constitution, which placed a claim on Northern Ireland – something which happened in 1998.

It said: “Ahern has a strong republican inheritance: his father was an IRA veteran of the War of Independence. While he demonstrates no anti-Britsh hang-ups, he is said to retain republican gut instincts (I have never seen these on display).

“This gives him credibility in Fianna Fail, and should on balance be an advantage for us – for example in terms of selling amendments to Articles 2 and 3 fot he Constitution to the party and the electorate.

“But I know from my contacts with him that he has not been involved in Northern Ireland policy making.

“Ahern makes no bones about the fact that he is separated from his wife (who has custody of their two teenage daughters) and has a stable relationship with his secretary.”

FROM THE DECLASSIFEID FILES:

Irish Government did secret deal with Gerry Adams to free IRA prisoners days after 1994 ceasefire, declassified file reveals

Irish Government deliberately did not condemn ceasefire murders by IRA in 1996 to keep Sinn Féin on board, declassified file reveals

Ulster Farmers’ Union lobbied for ‘unequivocal’ government statement on beef safety – months before BSE link to humans, declassified file shows

Mo Mowlam had ‘pro-nationalist’ plan for her first months in office, her key aide told the NIO in newly-declassified document

‘Surreal’ moment as Irish Presbyterian leader ‘insisted to diplomats that he wasn’t Irish’

Gerry Adams was ignorant of basic Protestant views and didn’t think he had to persuade unionists to back a united Ireland: Declassified file

Government pondered renaming or giving away Stormont as it meticulously planned for the Good Friday Agreement, declassified files reveal

NIO wanted to give lump sum to war hero Forum chairman due to job’s stress prior to 1998 Agreement, declassified file shows

Foreign Office urged Tony Blair towards a closer relationship with ‘pragmatic’ new Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 1997: Declassified Files

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