The Taoiseach has clarified, somewhat, his academic qualifications following recent FG doubts about his attendance at either UCD or the London School of Economics as listed in both Nealon's Guide and the FF website.
Bertie Ahern, in his contribution to My Best Advice, a little book where a famous 100 are quoted in aid of the ISPCC, says the best advice he received came from a teacher in St Aidan's CBS and it was to pursue further studies in accountancy for which he had shown some aptitude. As a result, he enrolled in the College of Commerce Rathmines where, "I obtained my accountancy qualification and later completed further diploma courses through the London School of Economics in taxation and business administration". No UCD there.
John Bruton says his father told him "at least start off believing the best of other people. Most of the time you will end up being proven right, however long it may take in some cases." Mary Harney says "Don't let success go to your head and don't let disappointments and setbacks get to you."
Ruair∅ Quinn said his father, urging him to stick with his architectural studies, told him that getting a secure qualification was very important because no disaster, no economic slump or no bank could ever take a skill or a qualification away from you.
His predecessor as Labour leader, Dick Spring, had similar advice from his mother: "study hard as a good education is no burden".
Spring's former adviser, Fergus Finlay got very good advice from his father before taking part in a debate, when he was 16 - "a drink of water before you start; a deep breath between sentences; find a friendly face or two in the audience and talk to them and finally make sure your fly is properly zipped".