Bertie Ahern: Grotesque, Unbelievable, Bizarre, Unprecedented

News from the Irish Independent on former An Taoiseach na Chófra, Bertie Ahern, and his flourishing new career out of office (and Ireland):

‘FORMER Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is charging American companies a fortune to present a new lecture — about how he transformed our economy in the Celtic Tiger boom.

The man targeted by many as the architect of our crippling recession, is charging more than $40,000 (€27,554) a time for speaking engagements with the elite Washington Speakers Bureau.

During the lecture, Mr Ahern offers tips to bosses of leading firms on how to be competitive.

His fee, which is listed as being more than US$40,000, is in the top bracket and shared by just 57 other mostly American speakers, including former US President George W Bush.

A gushing profile, listed on the website of the bureau, pays tribute to what many regard as Mr Ahern’s greatest achievement in office — his key role in forging the Good Friday Agreement.

But it is his speech on the economy which promises to reveal how Irish citizens accepted “short-term sacrifices to achieve long-term gain”, which has raised most eyebrows.

The outline of the speech reads: “Leading the turnaround of an entire country is akin to the constant evolution companies and organisations must undergo to remain competitive.

“Bertie Ahern dedicated his career to re-inventing his country’s economic and political stakes in global affairs. He persuaded his fellow politicians and citizens to accept short-term sacrifices to achieve long-term gain.

“His ability to persuade his constituents to follow his vision provides lessons for even the most seasoned executives.”‘

Jesus. If we thought Ahern couldn’t sink any lower he has certainly proved us wrong. To say that the man knows no shame must be the understatement of the century.

Meanwhile of course, thanks to Bertie ‘re-inventing’ our economy, we are on our way to a new 100 euro ~~Poll~~ Household Tax. Ah, life in Saor Éire. Or is it Daor Éire these days? It seems we can’t even take a leak without the permission of our EU/IMF overlords.

Meanwhile:

‘A SCHOOL that provides specialist teaching for children with autism will close tomorrow after the education minister rejected new funding proposals.

Until now, the parents of the eight pupils at the Achieve ABA school in Donaghmede, Dublin, have funded much of their children’s education themselves.

But because of mounting debts, they can no longer afford to do so. Parent Daniel O’Mahony, whose son Aidan (8) is a pupil, said that a funding shortfall has grown to €100,000 over recent years and they have been left with no choice but to close.

Mr O’Mahony, a chartered accountant, said he had costed proposals that showed their model of providing ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) is more than 25pc cheaper than educating autistic children in special-needs schools.

He said the privately funded Achieve ABA in Donaghmede can educate a child, for one year, for €30,000. This compares to €38,000 in a special-needs school and around €36,000 in the Department of Education and Skills.’

Ireland, a nation once again.