Should Bertie Get A Divorce?

mike65

Word on the "society street" is that Celia is giving Bertie the goodbye look as she waits in vain for Bertie to make an honest woman of her.

Is'nt it about time Ahern took the plunge and got a divorce, or is that something a FF leader can never do? If so is it worth sacrificing his relationship with his woman for...?

The story-

Heckles and Celia's snub wound Bertie

SNUB: Celia Larkin failed to show at a State luncheon for the German president she was due to officially co-host with the Taoiseach at Iveagh House

THE Taoiseach's political and personal life is in turmoil this weekend. The slump in his popularity and economic problems, added to the latest crisis in his relationship with Celia Larkin, is causing political concern in Government circles.

Ms Larkin caused acute diplomatic embarrassment on Friday when, without apparent explanation, she snubbed a State luncheon she was due to officially co-host with the Taoiseach in honour of the President of Germany Johannes Rau and his wife at Iveagh House. The Government Information Services (GIS) and the Department of Foreign Affairs have added to the mystery by refusing to offer any explanation for her failure to show.



...in this summer of discontent, the state of Mr Ahern's relationship with Celia Larkin is now again the focus of intense speculation.

Her latest "no-show" was all the more shocking because of the gold embossed "Bertie and Celia" invitations and the internal Department of Foreign Affairs memoranda sent to the German delegation stating she would attend.

The Department of Foreign Affairs declined to say what explanation was given to the German delegation for the mysterious break in protocol.

They said that because Mr Ahern was co-hosting the event, the non-appearance of Ms Larkin "was a matter for the Government information service". The invitations for the luncheon clearly stating that Ms Larkin was co-hosting the luncheon with Mr Ahern were sent out two weeks ago after a final meeting with an advance diplomatic party from the Federal Republic of Germany.

Repeated attempts to find out why Ms Larkin did not show up for the State event met with a blank refusal from the Government press service to make any comment.

"I have no comment to make on it. That's as much as I can say to you," GIS spokesman Stephen Hayes said.

Pressed further and asked for a response to the simple inquiry: "Why didn't Ms Larkin attend the luncheon? - the spokesman again refused to respond.

"There is no comment to make. That is as much as I am saying," the spokesman said.

Asked if Ms Larkin had given any explanation or how her non-attendance was explained to the German delegation, the spokesman again refused to comment.

In the past Ms Larkin has played the role of political consort to perfection at similar events, pointing out to distinguished guests the architectural gems of Iveagh House with its ornate Victorian staircase andalabaster-lined ballroom.

But on Friday when the black S Class Mercedes flying the black eagle of the Federal Republic of Germany pulled up outside Iveagh House just before 1pm, Mr Ahern stood alone on the Portland stone steps to cordially greet his guests without Ms Larkin.

Health and education spending cuts, rising unemployment, the row over third-level college fees, criticisms over the Flood tribunal, failure to implement promises of extra gardai, have all added to the general unpopularity of the Government and in particular, of the Taoiseach.

The sustained barracking from a large section of a GAA crowd in Clones deeply wounded Mr Ahern on a personal level. He felt that at a sporting event he was among his own. It led Maurice Ahern, brother of the Taoiseach, to issue a robust defence of his brother saying that the Taoiseach's commitment to sport deserved "acclamation not disdain".

Last Thursday night, the beleaguered Taoiseach was also alone in Dublin Castle to celebrate relations between Ireland and Germany. On that occasion the host was President Mary McAleese, accompanied by her husband Martin. They greeted President Rau, his wife and daughter at the top of the staircase when their arrival was heralded by trumpets sounding a ceremonial fanfare.

Before dinner all 112 guests at the black-tie dinner were presented to President McAleese and her husband and President Rau and his wife Christina - and to the Taoiseach.

As the two couples warmly greeted guests Mr Ahern stood alone and slightly apart as he offered his hand to guests, including representatives of many of the 160 German companies who operate in Ireland.

Mr Ahern appeared uncomfortable and ill-at-ease as the "odd" person in the line up of five people. During a spring and summer of growing political difficulties, Ms Larkin has hardly been seen in the presence of the man she once said she hoped to marry.

Ms Larkin was not present at a separate ceremony in honour of the Special Olympics at Dublin Castle, where the family of the late US President Kennedy were out in force at the A-list party.

She also did not attend the Budweiser Irish Derby, usually one of her favourite social gatherings.

It's now been two months since Mr Ahern and Ms Larkin have been photographed together. Questioned by one newspaper last week Mr Ahern declined to comment: "I have a very good rule - I talk about everything except my personal life," he said.

Mike.

Sparks

You know, I'm actually not sure here. Should the response be "who cares" or "it's none of anyone's business but theirs"?
*sigh*
Decisions, decisions.

sceptre

Like Sparks, I could go for either of his suggested attitudes with regard to what Bertie gets up to in the bedroom or the registry office.

I don't care and it's none of my business.

If it affects the diplomatic relations of this country with other countries, I suppose it is my business but I still don't care.

Bertie (or almost anyone else) doesn't deserve to be cheered for turning up at a GAA match unless he's playing, despite what Bertie's brother has to say. Interesting that we don't take any concrete steps to counter attitudes resulting in the boos greeting Georgian players when they turn up at Lansdowne Road just because they happen to play for a particular Glasgow club though.

mike65

Of course it matters! The mans supposed to be an honest upstanding leader of this State and yet he can't even get own personal affairs in order, I'd say that was important not to mention the fact the man's a hypocrite either he loves his wife and should be with her or he does'nt and should be seeking divorce.

Mike.

Sparks

There might be some validity in there mike, but it's rather deeply buried.
I'd be a lot more concerned about his resume to be honest...

Kalina

It doesn't bother me that his relationship is over or that he might get a divorce. That's his own personal business. What concerns me is how he runs the country- badly!!

Jim

is this worthy of humanities tbh?

haha,meh da used to be engaged to celia, she called it off at the last minute apparently.so she doesnt seem the consistant type.



divorce.

bizmark

its no one,s business what he does just like its no one,s business what i or anyone else does as long as it,s within the law ......... and the last time i checked going out with someone with out wanting to marry them isnt against the law