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----------------Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's Resignation Speech 2 April 2008----------------

I have been privileged to serve my community, my party and our country for many years in public life.

In that period, I am proud to have made a contribution to an unrivalled era of peace, prosperity and progress on this island.

Any achievements I have accomplished I share with the many people who have stood with me and behind me. I am grateful to so many people who have, over the years, given generously of their time and effort and shared my commitment to public service and building a fairer, stronger Ireland.

At the outset today, I want to thank my family who, from the earliest stages, supported me and always encouraged me throughout my journey in public life.

My motivation for entering politics in 1977 was to represent the people of my constituency; throughout my political life my greatest honour has been to represent them in Dail Eireann. I have been elected 10 times in those 31 years by the people of Dublin Central. I want to give special thanks to my constituency organisation. Their unprecedented commitment and friendship has never wavered. They have come with me, through good times and bad times, and for that I am very grateful.

Today, I thank all of those who have canvassed for me in election after election. I particularly recall those friends no longer with us but whose memories will always stay with me.

Today I also want to say that I am humbled to have been entrusted for over a decade with the great responsibility of leading our nation. The Irish people are innately decent and I have been privileged to serve them and to enjoy tremendous support. I especially wish to acknowledge all those people who took the time to pray for me, to send me Mass cards and letters of goodwill. As a political leader, I always took great encouragement and solace from such support.
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