by Ronan McSherry

TYRONE MLAs have paid tribute to 'people's person' Bertie Ahern following his decision to resign as Taoiseach.

Mr Ahern will leave office on May 6 and is standing down as leader of Fianna Fáil, a party he has led since November 1994. The move comes against the background of continuing controversy over his private financial affairs.

He was once famously described by the late Charles Haughey as: "The most skilful, the most devious, the most cunning of them all."

In recent weeks, pressure has been mounting on the Taoiseach over allegations made at the Mahon tribunal in Dublin investigating planning corruption, but Bertie Ahern insists his decision is a personal one, motivated solely by what is best for the people and he has nothing to fear from the ongoing inquiries about his finances.

He said,"I know in my heart of hearts that I have done no wrong."

His greatest legacy however will be his input to the historic signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Bertie Ahern's mother had just died back home in Dublin, but Ireland's prime minister couldn't let go of the chance of clinching peace in Belfast.

Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone was part of the SDLP delegation at Stormont during the week of the Good Friday Agreement.

Paying tribute to the Taoiseach he said, "That was a truly historic day and fair dues to him, despite his recent controversies, he has to be complimented as one of the historic figures to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and to what we hope is permanent peace in Ireland. He returned to Belfast straight after his mother's funeral, that is dedication away far and beyond the call of duty."

Mr McGlone described how, during a recent visit to Dublin, the Taoiseach made his mother's day by tlaking to her on the phone.

"I met him a fortnight ago in Dublin and asked him as a favour speak to my mother as she thinks he is 'the bee's knees.' He took my mobile and rang my mother and chatted to her. She was literally over the moon. He has a great way with people which is where is great strength lies."

West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff once famously asked the Taoiseach, "Was your Da in the IRA?," from the podium at a Sinn Féin Ard Fheis.

Mr McElduff, who often challenged the Taoiseach through his weekly column in An Phoblacht, said, "I didn't get a reply but I knew his father and mother both were. I had a good rapport with him. I think Bertie had the likeability factor; he had a good personality and a good people's touch."