The year in review

Bertie Ahern’s personal finances dominate the headlines in January and February. He announces his resignation on April 2, to take effect on May 6, almost a year to the day since sweeping to victory for the third successive time in the general election of 2007.

In an emotional statement, flanked by members of his Cabinet, he says: “Never, in all the time I have served in public life, have I put my personal interest ahead of the public good…I have never received a corrupt payment and I have never done anything to dishonour any office I have held.”

He adds that recent developments at the Mahon Tribunal have not motivated his decision.

At the end of April, he gets a friendlier reception – a standing ovation in fact - when he delivers a speech to the US Congress.

In June, a majority of 53.4% voters to 46.6% rejects the Lisbon Treaty. It is a major blow to the new leadership of Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who says he accepts the decision of the people.

Economic woes

Economically, the clouds are gathering with €440m in spending cuts announced in July, the collapse of social partnership talks in August and the bringing forward of the Budget by two months.

In September, one of the world’s largest investment banks Lehman Brothers announces plans to file for bankruptcy protection in the US, sending markets into a tailspin.

In Ireland, September brings the bank guarantee on all deposits, and Brian Cowen’s denial that the taxpayer is exposed. Bailouts for the banks will begin in a matter of months – but we don’t know that yet.

This is a choice quote from our coverage of the bank guarantee and Brian Cowen’s defense of it:
‘The Taoiseach insisted: “I have not handed over any money to any bank…I have provided the reputation of this state to the banks to get access to funds so the economic life of this country can continue…The option of doing nothing, of not making a move, would put at risk the entire stability of the Irish financial system.” ‘

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Right, we’re out of words on that one….Let’s move on.

Medal magic and missing meat

It’s the Olympics! Kenny Egan misses out on gold in Beijing, but we’re all thrilled with his silver. Darren Sutherland and Paddy Barnes each win bronzes.

We almost miss out on our Christmas hams after a dioxins scare leads to the removal of all pork products from the shelves. Around 100,000 pigs will have to be culled.

A much-overused word perhaps, but “historic” certainly applies to the election of the first black president of the US on a unifying message of hope and change for America. He is known to us as Barack Obama from Moneygall, Co Offaly.

“America, we are better than these last eight years, we are a better country than this,” he says.