Tony Blair said that Bertie Ahern would always be remembered for his "crucial role" in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, following the Taoiseach's announcement that he would be standing down next month after ten years leading Ireland.

Tony Blair said: “Bertie Ahern was a great Taoiseach, a leader for whom I had the greatest respect, admiration and friendship.

“He will always be remembered for his crucial role in bringing about peace in Northern Ireland, for transforming relations between Britain and the Irish Republic and for presiding over a sustained period of economic and social advance in Ireland.

“He was also a key figure in Europe.

“He will have, deservedly, a central place in his nation’s political history and much more widely.

“A remarkable man with a remarkable record of achievement.”

Listen to Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair's podcast on Northern Ireland here