Outgoing Ahern to speak on NI peace

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It comes a day after the Taoiseach announced he would be standing down next month amid mounting political pressure over the controversy surrounding his personal finances.

He will address a conference in University College Dublin (UCD), organised by the Institute of British Irish Studies, with Northern Ireland Secretary of State Shaun Woodward.

From Conflict To Consensus - The Legacy Of The Good Friday Agreement forms part of a series of events to mark the historic anniversary.

Mr Ahern will also be host to former British prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US Senator George Mitchell - two key figures in the Agreement talks in 1998 - in Dublin next week.

During his resignation speech on Wednesday, Mr Ahern reflected on his years in office and highlighted the importance of the Good Friday Agreement in bringing peace to Ireland.

"The Good Friday Agreement now provides the political framework for an island that can at last achieve its full potential," he said.

"This week and next week, many of those who a decade ago played a role in negotiating that historic accord will gather to reflect on the work which was done and the progress which has since been made."

Finance Minister Brian Cowen has been installed as the clear favourite to succeed him as Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader. However Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern and Enterprise Minister Micheal Martin were also being tipped as leadership contenders.

A new Fianna Fail leader-in-waiting could be elected by the party's 77 TDs (excluding Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue) within weeks and probably before Mr Ahern resigns on May 6.