Ex-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today describes how problems with the economy only started in June – a month after he left office.

In an interview with the Herald, Mr Ahern says he had “no great concern” about the state of the economy when he stepped down last May.

Despite Taoiseach Brian Cowen stating that “we are we are battling the most severe global economic and financial conditions for a century”, Mr Ahern insists everything was fine just six months ago.

Speaking ahead of Bertie, the documentary which airs tonight, Mr Ahern also says that some of the economy's “senior players” have approached him in recent weeks seeking advice. “There is no end to people coming to pick your brains,” he reveals.

In his most revealing interviews to date he:

Refuses to rule out running for the presidency.

Says gangland crime is the scourge of Dublin.

Believes America should have given Hillary Clinton a chance.

Reckons Stephen Ireland should bury the hatchet with the Irish soccer squad.

Reveals that “I think half the country still calls me Taoiseach.

“I was even at a function the other night where I think three speakers referred to me as Taoiseach. I just say nothing.”

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has given his most revealing interview ever to the Herald – as a major documentary on his life and times starts airing tonight.

Mr Ahern says his recent leg break has “messed up” his schedule, but it has given him extra time to study the economic turmoil that forced the Government's emergency budget.

“The figures for the first four months of the year were actually good. It was from June on that the real problems started.

“There was no great concern when I left office,” he said, adding: “I don't think I was asked my view as often as I am now. I follow Bloomberg and CNN and I read a huge amount.

“I'm probably much more up-to-date with all the financial stuff now than ever. I didn't realise there was so much good information out there,” he said.

Judgement

“When I'm out, people do seek out your judgement. Even last weekend, around half a dozen senior players were asking ‘what's your take?'“

Tonight, RTE will air the first in a four-part series based on the Dubliner's life, but Mr Ahern will have to wait until 9.35pm to see the programme like any normal punter.

“There is a bit of misapprehension by a good few people about the making of the documentary,” said Mr Ahern, alluding to the fact that some people think it was his idea.

“They [Mint Productions] came and told me I could either take part or not. The whole thing was done minus me. For me it was a fait de complet. I had two options, let the documentary be made without me in it or do it, have an interview and let the editors decide what they want to put in it,” he said.

Mr Ahern says he was so far removed from the making of the documentary that he doesn't even know if Brian Cowen has participated.

Reservations

In July, Mr Ahern agreed to a three-hour interview, but he says: “I'll be amazed if they use a quarter of it.

“I've learned over the years that vital information can often be left on the editing floor.

“Reservations are not really an option at this point. I could have all the reservations in the world, but it doesn't matter,” he said.

However, Mr Ahern said that he will be annoyed if producers don't allow an “appropriate” proportion of the programme focus on his work in Northern Ireland and with social partnership.

“It will be interesting to see the proportion of time those things take up,” he said, adding: “They absolutely consumed my life and political career.”

Asked about the tribunal's inclusion in the programme, Mr Ahern said: “They are going to have to cover that, but the tribunal has just been in the last few years.

Excited

“From my point of view, it will be interesting to see how they cover 57 years in four hours.”

But he says that he is more excited about sitting down to watch the American election tomorrow night.

“It's a big time. I've been following very closely because I know a lot of the senators and have a good take on the States. I enjoy it and follow it state by state.

“Obama will win convincingly in my view. I'm confident he'll get a big vote,” said Mr Ahern, who addressed the US Congress earlier this year.

“She [Sarah Palin] added a bit of life to it all but at the end of the day it just came down to economic issues. The financial crisis ended McCain's chances.”

However, he added: “I have to be honest, I was a Hillary fan. I wanted her to get there.”

Mr Ahern has maintained contact with Bill Clinton since his departure from office and says: “Tony Blair is frequently in touch with me.

“But sure he's travelling the world and making a bloody fortune now anyway. He actually sent me a message just yesterday. It was a long email. We keep in regular touch.”

The Drumcondra man has been tipped to take on a peace envoy role similar to Tony Blair's when he retires from the Dail completely.

However, the other main option being speculated about is that he may run for the presidency – something that he didn't deny when questioned by the Herald.

Dream

In dismissing the question rather than the idea, he said: “I'm not even going to dream about it now. It's a long way away. We have a great president and she has a good few years left.”

Either way, the popular northsider says that he will always live in Dublin.

“Dublin is hugely important to me. I'm easily identified as a Dublin person but I'm not iconic. Someone recently defined iconic as “important and enduring”, so only time will tell that,” he said.

Asked his least favourite thing about the capital, Mr Ahern said: “People will always find downsides of a place. Obviously I'd love to crush down crime.

“What bugs me about Dublin is the gangs. The stupidity of the harassment and violence that goes on.

“And what drives me absolutely mad is graffiti, mindless people who spray on walls and things. It destroys the city.”

But his favourite aspect of Dublin are the “projects close to my heart” – Lansdowne Road and Croke Park.

And the former Fianna Fail leader says that the Irish soccer squad new boss, Giovanni Trapattoni, “has a very steady hand on things”.

“There have been one or two controversies about positions, but we're a small country and we always have a limited selection,” he said.

The Manchester United supporter also entered the debate about Man City player Stephen Ireland, who is refusing to play for the Republic.

Pointing to an “obvious gap in the midfield”, Mr Ahern said: “It's a great, great shame that Stephen Ireland has not come back into the squad. It's a pity no one has persuaded him to get involved again. I know he has obvious grievances but hopefully someone can convince him to overcome them.”

More than 70 contributors have been interviewed for the documentary and Mr Ahern says that while he could have stopped some of them, he opted not to influence anybody's decision.

He says daughters Georgina and Cecelia asked his permission before taking part but let them decide for themselves. “There is always a chance that the editors will juxtapose this with that and make it look like a person's view,” he said

Proud

Sunday dinners with Cecelia are still a regular event for the proud father, who said she has already surpassed him in terms of fame.

“She'll come [to his house] a lot. Even when I broke my leg she was going between Germany and eastern Europe but she came home on the Sunday to see me.

“Georgina is a bit different now because of the twins.”

So what's next for Bertie? First, he wants to lose his crutches and cast.

“Once I'm out of it by Christmas, I'll be happy. It |just messed up my schedule,” he said, even though he admitted it didn't stop him getting to Fagan's for a pint after being treated at the Maher Hospital.

The first episode of Bertie airs on RTE One tonight, but the country's most famous politician says: “I hope the story is not finished.”

- Kevin Doyle