Haughey hailed for 'courageous decisions'
Former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey made mistakes but had an exceptional political career, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said tonight.
Mr Ahern said the ailing 80-year-old, who led three governments between 1979-1992, created the economic conditions that spawned the Celtic Tiger boom in the 1990s.
The Taoiseach made his comments at events in Dublin to mark Fianna Fáil’s 80th anniversary.
Mr Ahern said: “This country owes much of its present prosperity to the courageous decisions that were taken in 1987 and 1988 by Charles Haughey and his government, and in particular, the Minister for Finance Ray MacSharry.
“It was a very bad period and they took the decisions that were necessary. It was those decisions that helped create the growth in the economy into the 90s and beyond.
Speaking of Mr Haughey, he added: “He did make mistakes but when you look at his political career, it was exceptional.
“They tell me he is rallying well. He has had a difficult period since Christmas so we send him his our best regards.”
Mr Haughey didn’t attend the celebrations at the Mansion House but was represented by his son, Dublin North West TD, Sean and his brother Father Eoghan Haughey.
The former leader’s father-in- law, ex-Taoiseach Sean Lemass was represented by his grandsons Sean Lemass Jnr and Sean O’Connor.
Mr Haughey also featured strongly in an archival exhibition: ’The Advance of a Nation – 80 Years of Fianna Fail’ in the Mansion House which displayed photographs, election leaflets, historic posters and internal party letters.
Mr Ahern also said the period surrounding the Arms Crisis in the early 1970s was a tough time for the party.
He added: “As the party looks back today, we can see that the party has had a profound influence on the political, economic and social life of this country and it continues to do so.”
Fianna Fáil had served a total of more than five decades in government which was unique, he said.
