TributesDemocratic Unionist Party leader the Rev Ian Paisley and his son Ian Paisley jnr have congratulated Fianna Fáil on the party's election success.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he had received phone calls from Dr Paisley and British prime minister Tony Blair. "I've been talking at length to Tony Blair and I've been talking at length to Dr Paisley and needless to say, a lot of my other colleagues around Europe."
Those he spoke to noted that if Mr Ahern was returned as Taoiseach, he would also go on to become the longest serving head of government in the EU.
"If I am elected, and hopefully that's what happens, you don't count any chickens before they're hatched, I do become the father of the European Council of 27 countries and I'm not sure if that makes me happy or sad."
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said he received a congratulatory message from Ian Paisley jnr. "He said maybe the DUP could take a few lessons on vote management from the Fianna Fáil election machine," Mr Ahern said.
