There's no time off for Taoiseach, even on his birthday
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TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern could be forgiven for having the 'birthday blues' yesterday.
Instead of having time off to enjoy a pint of Bass or even attend to his favourite hanging baskets, the now 56-year-old had to appoint a military judge, launch a set of stamps and meet the Prime Minister of Iceland.
And it was all in the knowledge that his former partner Celia Larkin was revealing details of his personal finances at the Mahon Tribunal.
However, Mr Ahern was expected to put the affairs of state behind him to watch Ireland's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic.
"He never misses a match," said a Government spokesman.
Mr Ahern began his day yesterday by attending a cabinet meeting, where he and his ministers gave permission to the Kenyan government to open a new embassy in Dublin.
He had to keep his Green partners in Government happy afterwards by attending the first ever meeting of the cabinet sub-committee on climate change.
This committee is designed to ensure that the state cuts its carbon emissions by 3pc annually and has been hailed by the Greens as a way of putting climate change at the heart of Government policy.
While Mr Ahern thought about the future of the planet, he was blissfully unaware that a major question mark was hanging over his own.
Staff from Sky News were contacting a Dublin-based newspaper to enquire if it was true that the Taoiseach had resigned.
Their inquiry was based on a mysterious news agency report -- but the agency itself had heard nothing about it.
At lunchtime, Mr Ahern gave his stamp of approval to An Post's latest creation -- a 55c stamp to commemorate the archaeological discoveries made by an Irish priest in Rome 150 years ago.
Fr Joseph Mullooly, from Lanesboro, Co Longford, concentrated on the Basilica de San Clemente and uncovered historical layers previously never seen by the public -- a bit like the Mahon tribunal is doing at the moment.
Then it was off to meet another 56-year-old former Minister of Finance -- Prime Minister of Iceland Geir Haarde, who is on a brief state visit.
Mr Ahern was all smiles for the photocall at Government Buildings but he quickly shepherded Mr Haarde inside afterwards.
Those close to the Taoiseach would have been well aware of his birthday, which he shares with Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, soul singer Barry White, Olympic gold medalist Jeese Owens and poet Louis MacNeice.
However, some in his own party seemed to be less than clued in about the importance of September 12.
"It's his birthday?" said one Fianna Fail TD.
