Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, in yesterday’s speech announcing his intent to resign on May 6, listed the end of forced emigration among his accomplishments. He said:
In looking back on all the things I wanted to achieve in politics, I am proud that as Taoiseach I have:
- delivered on my objective to bring the peace process to fruition;
- delivered on my objective to see a stable administration based on the power-sharing model take root in Northern Ireland;
- delivered successive social partnership agreements which underpin our social and economic progress;
- delivered a modern economy with sustainable growth in employment and brought an end to the days of forced emigration;
- delivered on my objective to improve and to secure Ireland’s position as a modern, dynamic and integral part of the European Union.
Read the entire speech on the Department of the Taoiseach’s website.