Bertie bags $40,000 for "tips" on Celtic Tiger success

[Minder]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/bertie-bags-40000-for-tips-on-celtic-tiger-success-2831887.html
FORMER Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is charging American companies a fortune to present a new lecture -- about how he transformed our economy in the Celtic Tiger boom.


The man targeted by many as the architect of our crippling recession, is charging more than $40,000 (€27,554) a time for speaking engagements with the elite Washington Speakers Bureau.

During the lecture, Mr Ahern offers tips to bosses of leading firms on how to be competitive.

The former Fianna Fail leader has been employed for a number of years as one of the highest-paid speakers with the bureau -- whose motto is 'Connecting you with the world's greatest minds' .

In his latest lecture -- entitled 'Prime Minister as CEO' -- he tells listeners to adopt Ireland's Celtic Tiger as a model of economic growth.

Last night it was described as "bewildering".

Bosses of the bureau refused to reveal the number of times Mr Ahern has been hired for engagements.

However, a well-placed source said he is now one of the most sought-after of the 346 speakers on their books.

His fee, which is listed as being more than US$40,000, is in the top bracket and shared by just 57 other mostly American speakers, including former US President George W Bush.

A gushing profile, listed on the website of the bureau, pays tribute to what many regard as Mr Ahern's greatest achievement in office -- his key role in forging the Good Friday Agreement.

But it is his speech on the economy which promises to reveal how Irish citizens accepted "short-term sacrifices to achieve long-term gain", which has raised most eyebrows.

The outline of the speech reads: "Leading the turnaround of an entire country is akin to the constant evolution companies and organisations must undergo to remain competitive.

"Bertie Ahern dedicated his career to re-inventing his country's economic and political stakes in global affairs. He persuaded his fellow politicians and citizens to accept short-term sacrifices to achieve long-term gain.

"His ability to persuade his constituents to follow his vision provides lessons for even the most seasoned executives."

In this thought-provoking presentation, Mr Ahern describes:

His approach to developing and executing a successful long-term vision.

How to persuade employees, customers and stakeholders to participate and embrace change.

What every leader must do to achieve large-scale success.

How to successfully bring people with you by building consensus.

Labour TD Ciaran Lynch last night said he was astonished that companies would want to employ Mr Ahern to give them advice on how to be competitive.

And he said the news would sit badly with the majority of the Irish population, particularly people crippled by debt due to "the errors made when Mr Ahern was Taoiseach".

He added: "It's absolutely bewildering, particularly given the worldwide coverage of Ireland's economic collapse, that he's being promoted as a strategic thinker for companies.

"The mismanagement of the Irish company happened under his watch and it must be frustrating for the Irish public to hear about the huge payments he's getting for this speech, while so many of them live in desperate situations."

Mr Ahern also gives three other speeches for the bureau -- 'Leadership in Changing Times: What It Takes to Succeed', 'The Future Role of the European Union on the World Stage' and 'Peace Through Inclusive Dialogue: Ireland's Journey'.

- Nick Bramhill

[ziggysego]

  I really have no response to this. Completely dumbfounded 

[Donnellys Hollow]

Sure he's bound to be short of a few bob now that the News Of The World is gone...........

[Declan]

His fee, which is listed as being more than US$40,000, is in the top bracket and shared by just 57 other mostly American speakers, including former US President George W Bush.

He's in good company so - a bunch of clowns ,liars and thieves

[mylestheslasher]

The most expensive stand up comedy show in the world!

[Denn Forever]

The most expensive stand up comedy show in the world!

He has left us nothing to smile about

[playwiththewind1st]

Priceless - you just can't make this sort of thing up. Leaves a total mess behind him when he bails out, gets some other eejit to oversee the final days & then cashes in, to lecture to a load of dickheads, who probably don't have a clue about either who he is, or the shambles he created. Both he & Blair must have gone to the same school of bare faced cheek. Wouldn't even have him lecture me on wiping me arse.

[Minder]

Priceless - you just can't make this sort of thing up. Leaves a total mess behind him when he bails out, gets some other eejit to oversee the final days & then cashes in, to lecture to a load of d**kheads, who probably don't have a clue about either who he is, or the shambles he created. Both he & Blair must have gone to the same school of bare faced cheek. Wouldn't even have him lecture me on wiping me arse.

In fairness Blair and Clinton are in a different league when it comes to this sort of thing. They reckon they have made about £20m-£30m from this sort of gig. What sort of person goes to listen to this waffle anyway? It seems to be what ex-PMs and Presidents do when they retire as, relatively speaking, their salaries are not that high.

[laoislad]

http://www.suprnova.org/shows/the-infographics-show/masturbation.html

[CiKe]

tis more than a bit cheeky alright, bailed out before the sh*t really hit the fan, but is he really the "architect" of the Irish recession?

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

http://www.youtube.com/user/gavinsblog?blend=1&ob=5#p/u/0/hfjGSfuSQpA