"Tea With the Taoiseach"

      Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland is a self-professed "big tea drinker." Known as the Taoiseach (a name of ancient Gaelic origin, pronounced Teeshock), Mr. Ahern is the head of the Government and the central coordinator of the work of the Ministers and their Departments of State. The Taoiseach sets broad Government policy and keeps the President informed on domestic and international policy.
      Beginning his historic third term in office last year, Mr. Ahern is the youngest Taoiseach and the second longest serving in office. Born in 1951, he has two daughters and two non-identical grandsons. One daughter, Georgina, is married to Westlife member Nicky Byrne, and his other daughter, Cecelia, is a best-selling author of romance novels. Mr. Ahern is an avid sports fan who enjoys attending football matches with his daughters when his busy schedule allows.
      The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. The National Parliament (the Oireachtas) consists of the President and two Houses: the Dail Eireann (the House of Representatives) and the Seanad Eireann (the Senate). The Dail Eireann (House of Representatives) is the dominant branch of the Oireachtas (Parliament) and has the power to pass any law it wishes and to nominate and remove the Taoiseach (the head of government). It is directly elected at least once in every five years by the citizens of Ireland. The Taoiseach can make a request to the President at any time to effectively dissolve the Dail, in which case a general election must be held within 30 days. 
      Prime Minister Bertie Ahern was first elected Taoiseach in 1997 and has led a coalition government since then, sustaining a period of economic growth for the Republic of Ireland. He has also been the Leader of the Fianna Fail Party since 1994 and was first elected to the Dail Eireann (House of Representatives) in 1977. In a recent interview on Irish broadcaster RTE’s radio service, Mr. Ahern said his party had a"lot of options" open to it, but that stability was number one on his agenda and the biggest consideration when it came to forming a government. 
      The Taoiseach’s preferred tea flavor is Breakfast Tea, and he always drinks Bewleys Tea. In 1835, Charles Bewley brought a ship into Dublin from Canton carrying over 2000 chests of tea. Bewleys was the first company to import tea directly into Ireland and ended the monopoly held by the East India Trading Company. Tea merchants all over the world were then free to do business, and Charles Bewley was the first merchant who exercised that freedom. 
      Mr. Ahern’s favorite cup of tea is the one he has first thing in the morning. And while trying not to have too many treats, he occasionally enjoys a hot fruit scone with strawberry jam along with his tea. 
      Beginning his third term as Taoiseach last year, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern stated that "it is clear we are entering a period of more challenging economic conditions. It is important, therefore, that we focus our efforts in the development of policy and programmes, and in social partnership, to restore and renew our competitiveness across all dimensions." We wish the Taoiseach the "luck of the Irish" in his future endeavors. 
      
      A heartfelt thank you goes to the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern and Fidelma Rogers, Assistant Private Secretary to the Taoiseach, for their generous contributions to this newsletter.

Source: www.taoiseach.gov.ie
            www.oireachtas.ie
            www.en.wikipedia.org
            www.newsvote.bbc.co.uk