Events from the year 2004 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Mary McAleese Taoiseach: Bertie Ahern (FF) Tánaiste: Mary Harney (PD) Minister for Finance: Charlie McCreevy (FF) (until 29 September 2004) Brian Cowen (FF) (from 29 September 2004) Chief Justice: Ronan Keane (until 2004) John L. Murray (from 23 July 2004) Dáil: 29th Seanad: 22nd Events January–June 1 January – Ireland assumed the rotating position of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern assumed the rotating position of the President of the European Council for six months. Scouting Ireland was founded. 28 February – Five people were killed in a bus crash at Wellington Quay, Dublin. 16 March – The cooling towers of Rhode Power Station, near Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, were demolished. 27 March – Ireland's rugby team won the Triple Crown for the first time since 1985. 29 March – A smoking ban introduced by Minister for Health, Micheál Martin, came into effect in all pubs, restaurants, and work places. 20 April – Welsh pub landlords reported an increase in the number of Irish patrons visiting Wales where they could avoid the restrictions of Ireland's new smoking ban which prohibited smoking in Irish pubs. The drinkers could travel to Wales by ferryboat for as little as £10 for a day-return ticket, smoke cigarettes while drinking, and pay lower prices for their alcohol. 1–25 May – Heads of government celebrated in Dublin as the European Union admitted ten new member states. 18 May – Clare O'Leary became the first Irish woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. 21 May - the eighty People In Need Telethon takes place. June – The first phase of the Arklow Bank Wind Park, Ireland's first offshore wind farm, was commissioned. 11 June European Parliament Election 2004 – Fine Gael emerged as the largest party, eclipsing Fianna Fáil by one seat. Two Independent MEPs were elected. The Labour Party won one seat and Sinn Féin took a seat for the first time ever. Local Elections, 2004 – Fianna Fáil's share of the vote fell sharply while all the other opposition parties made gains. Sinn Féin made a big breakthrough with a record number of councillors being elected. 16 June – The Grangegorman Development Bill was published by the Irish Government. 25 June – US President George W. Bush arrived at Shannon Airport for an EU-U.S. summit. 30 June