The Taoiseach called Mr Justice Feargus Flood's resignation the end of an era and paid tribute to his significant contribution to Irish political history yesterday.
As he accepted the letter of resignation of Mr Justice Flood from the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments, Mr Ahern issued the following statement:
"I think that I can say on behalf of everybody that we are indebted to Mr Justice Flood for his sterling work in the tribunal.
"There is no doubt that the Flood tribunal introduced a new era into Irish politics. It has exposed serious wrongdoing in the planning field through the diligence and hard work of Mr Justice Flood and his legal team.
"Irish society has benefited and will continue to benefit from the work of the tribunal. While the Government would have preferred and indeed had requested that he decide the costs issue, I understand and appreciate why it is that Mr Justice Flood is now resigning. I accept and respect his decision, which has been made in the interests of the tribunal, its work to date and into the future.
"The resignation of Mr Justice Flood is, in many respects, the end of an era. His name will be synonymous with the will and determination of the Dáil, the Seanad and the Irish people to expose and root out malpractice and corruption. This of itself is a significant contribution by him to Irish political history. One has only to look at the public response to his second interim report, published last year, to have an appreciation of the esteem in which Mr Justice Flood is held by the Irish people.
"In relation to the issue of costs I have been advised by the Attorney General that new legislation will be required. This legislation will provide a legal basis for a new chairperson of the tribunal to adjudicate on the issue of costs," the Taoiseach said.
"I know that I can join with my colleagues in the Dáil and Seanad in wishing Mr Justice Flood a happy and healthy retirement. He has served us well."