Most of the text response to the news of Dermot Ahern’s retirement has been unbroadcastable (great profits Newstalk are making at 30c per text all the same)  The rumour had been circulating for a few weeks and now we are watching them fall (Senior FF ministers that is) as election plans have to be made and chances of winning leadership contests decline.

In just now from GLEN, their tribute to Dundalk’s finest.

GLEN today paid tribute to Dermot Ahern, Minister for Justice and Law Reform, on the announcement of his stepping down from political life, for his success in advancing and enacting the Civil Partnership Act 2010.

“The Civil Partnership Act is a great achievement that will have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of lesbian and gay people in Ireland. This Act is one of the most important civil rights advances in a generation” said Kieran Rose, Chair of GLEN.

“That Dermot Ahern successfully advanced this very complex piece of legislation through the Oireachtas with such a high degree of consensus is a major legacy of which he can be justifiably proud” said Kieran Rose.