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THE TAOISEACH HAS indicated he would be open to allowing former party colleague Bertie Ahern back into Fianna Fáil.
Micheál Martin said that he has been engaging with the former taoiseach in recent times, particularly about issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Yesterday evening, it was proposed during the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party that Ahern should be allowed to make a return to the party as part of its plans to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Speaking in Tallaght today, Martin said: “In terms of Bertie Ahern, I have been engaging with Bertie Ahern actually over the last year and a bit, since the rows on the protocol, and he’s very involved in Northern Ireland issues, he maintains contacts with different groups.
“From my perspective, like that level of consultation will continue because I think he has invaluable insights to all of that.”
Ahern resigned from Fianna Fáil in 2012 after the Mahon Tribunal. He stepped down as Taoiseach in 2008 and as a TD in 2011. He made the move before Martin sought to expel him from the party.
The tribunal (officially the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments) found that he did not truthfully account for payments of IR£165,000 made to accounts connected to him.
It was scathing in its treatment of the former Taoiseach, rejecting much of the evidence he provided in connection to a substantial number of lodgements made in the 1990s.
Although the tribunal did not make findings of corruption against Ahern, it proved hugely damaging to his reputation. He has disputed the findings.
Martin said that his former colleague has experience with a range of groups in Northern Ireland.
“He has reached out to communities in the north and is sort of picking up perspectives in different communities and that’s been valuable in terms of engaging and discussions on that,” the Fianna Fail leader added.
“No one can take from the contribution he made to peace in Ireland and to the peace process, so the fullness of time certainly we will give him that consideration.
“It’s very relaxed when we meet.”
When remined that he sought to expel his predecessor from the party, Martin said that he resigned in the wake of the tribunal.
“As far as I am concerned, it’s ten years on, I’m conscious of the contribution he has made to peace in the country.
“He made a very significant contribution,” Martin added.
“There’s no immediate decisions yet. He has his views on these things as well.
“We’ve had good conversations, we meet at informal occasions, at matches and that.
“His is commitment to making sure that we can try and resolve the current issues around the protocol are very sincere and heartfelt, and that’s something we can take value from.”
Fianna Fail TD for Dublin South West John Lahart also said he was open to the idea of seeing Ahern return.
“Well, we don’t live in a cancel culture,” he added.
“I look around at the correspondents and the journalists here and I don’t think there’s one of you that at some stage of your career in the last decade has not sought out Bertie Ahern specifically.
“There’s no reason why Fianna Fáil should be any different and a lot of this happens under the radar.
“I think the discussion last night was specifically in the context of the value of experience that he brings, particularly in the context of the 25th year of the Good Friday Agreement next year.
“I think that’s the story element of this.”
A spokesperson for Ahern told The Journal this issue has come up many times before and the former Taoiseach does not wish to comment. However, she it is accurate to state that Ahern “keeps contact with the Taoiseach and relevant Government departments on Northern Ireland”.
Additional reporting from Céimin Burke
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How is this man Taoiseach?
@Chris Long: democracy, 93 out of 160 TDs voted for our Taoiseach
@Stephen Kearon: I’d say thats a wet dream come true for you if Bertie came back…….. FYI, real democracy is votes from the public. He came second in his constituency to a SF candidate. Lied to his supporters saying they wouldn’t form a govt with FG, look at them now. Jumped at the chance to become Taoiseach during the height of the pandemic instead of letting Leo take the first half of the shared Taoiseach role. Continuity during a crisis would have been better for the public instead of his ego trip. Hes unbelievably out of touch with the general public.
@Stephen Kearon: That would include FG TDs who lost the election, but were quite happy to endorse Martin as Taoiseach after he went on bended knees to them to form a government.
@Donal Desmond: there wasn’t much choice the smaller opposition parties would team up with the shinners,
@Patrick O Connell: he went on the news at 6 and said that the meaage he was getting loud and clear on the doorsteps was that the voters wanted FG out of government. He then goes straight to leo. FF and FG should merge as they are basically the same party.
@Paul Hedderman:
Bravo! Well said, they are trying to polish him up for a run for the presidency, but might as well try to polish a turd.
@Stephen Kearon: they made up this rotating nonsense to keep sf out now they want Bertie back it stinks of corruption
@Patrick O Connell: That’s true, but Martin stated he would not entertain FG. While Varadkar stated the FF brand was toxic..but when the status quo is threatened the two parties who brought this state from bust to boom since the foundation of this state put their pretend differences aside to keep the circus going.
@Brian Madden: they had that’s chance years back .I think the open gates for the shinners might make them merge
@Stephen Kearon: If Bertie (and indeed Martin) opened up and told the proper truth about Berties past, people might forgive him, if not they will continue to look upon him and FF as a nest of snakes.
@Stephen Kearon: the Fianna Fáil mouth piece who fawns over Maggie Thatcher. That speaks volumes.
@Stephen Kearon: Sorry, had to put this up. Video of your Taoiseach hero lying to his voters. These sort of things show the character of the man……
https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0123/1110388-martin-no-coaltion-fg/
@Frank Cauldhame: Bertie is a gangster
Has he a bank account now?
@Tom Bombdadil: probably needs replenishing at this stage
@Tom Bombdadil: Of course he has lessons were learned don’t ya know.
@Tom Bombdadil: and a big one, from when he was running the country into the ground
@Franny Ando: No “lessons “ any more. They’re all “learnings” now. Same with places. They’re all now “spaces”….the list goes on ….!
@Tom Bombdadil: He is coming back to show MM how not to have a bank account. Does the silver key pub cash cheques?
@Tom Bombdadil: he prob does what countries they are in is another story.
@Tom Bombdadil: he always had a bank account, allegedly.
The tribunal might just have asked the wrong questions.
Imagine if, instead of asking him if he ever made certain lodgements, they had asked him if anyone made lodgements on his behalf? Somebody working closely with him, like, I don’t know, maybe his Garda driver?
Sweet jasus
How is this man so utterly oblivious to the feelings of the country?
It’s like they see the polls with SF leading and think “I wonder just how bad we can make it……..?”
@Tricia G ☘️: and they were doing so well. There is a terrible temptation in politics to f*ck with something that isn’t broken.
I’m here for the comments :)
When was he released?
What is wrong with FF? How / why do they not see that this would be a bad move
@SkylineSi: This is the same people that think not building houses is the best way to solve a housing crisis.
@SkylineSi: It’s a gift FF have evolved into since Charley H .
OMFG
@Pat O’Leary: At least Mario Rosenstock will be pleased !
I hope they do.
I reeeeeeaaaaaally hope they do this.
Another nail.
Michael Martin showing yet again how much he hates this country and his own party. He will not make it to the next election and his party will be over after the election.
Another nail in the coffin for FF, is there any level this lad won’t stoop to. In terms of consulting and engaging with Mr. Ahern and getting advice, is Bertie being paid for this consultant and advisory roll and if so, by whom an how much.
Taoiseach confirms he’s open for Charlie Haughey returning to Fianna Fáil. Oh wait ……..
Why not give Ray Burke a call as well,
Does these people not have advisors lol
@Nigel Hayden: none who live in the real world
Dinosaur Politics. Its a wipe out
I thought it was Waterford Whispers there for a second.
You must be kidding
This is utterly unbelievable
Would he not need a bank A/c, to have his salary paid into ???? I think he should enjoy his retirement and let sleeping dogs lie. Ireland doesn’t need a UK equivalent Cincinatus. He did do some good work around the Good Friday Agreement, but let us not forget the shouds of controversy that he left in. Time doesn’t heal absolutely everything….
Gangsters Paradise
Mahon Tribunal on Bertie: Payments worth IR£165,000 ‘not truthfully accounted for’
a here, the country has not forgot. .
How will they pay him when he doesn’t have a bank account?
@Gearóid MacEachaidh: I heard butter vouchers and free cheese. Maybe a few iodine tablets.
Jobs for the boys in full swing again.
And there it is. The death knell for FF
It you didn’t yet believe how out of touch with the people of Ireland these clowns are this hopefully seals it… UNBELIEVABLE. “The boom is getting boomier”
Just a reminder that Martin is the only remaining member of that cabinet of treachery….
Make sure you check Meehole that he has a non-bank credit card as otherwise he won’t be able to pay the membership fee
His audacity is unbelievable!!
No he is a gangster
If that utter clown is allowed back into the party I will never vote FF again. He’s an embarrassment, of the highest order.
@Richard Ahern: you shouldn’t have in the first place.
@Richard Ahern: you vote FF smh!
Utterly wrong. He has done todays FF a great disservice by making these comments.
Bartie for president.
Finally Bertie has ran out of brown envelopes. Time to get more Bertie.
Martin is so arrogant he thinks, Bertie can save them at the next election
Trust arrives on foot but leaves on horseback.
Absolute madness.
I can not believe that this man is taoiseach, the garlic of him to think that this is ok, I really hope people stand up to this pure brainless muppett
Rightly So. Bertie has always been in contact with leaders in Europe to talk and advise on Brexit matters. He is an Expert on matters of Northern /Southern Ireland , and is trusted by the Unionists. He has always had good relation with them. He would buy and sell Martin and Varadka and Coveney. Yes , he most definitely is an asset and should be consulted .
@Eugene Comaskey: Have you been smoking the devils lettuce Eugene? The man is a joke & a crook
@Eugene Comaskey: he bought and sold the electorate out without losing any sleep so he has plenty of experience in his field
@Derek Richardson: Well, I would prefer his Government to the outfit of jokers and fools that we have today, that’s for sure .
@Eugene Comaskey: they are the exact same..he sold us out and we’ve been sold out again..our grandkids and their kids will feel the bail out..how can you think he was any better?
@Eugene Comaskey: ya shur he didn’t bankrupt the country at all……wait
@Eugene Comaskey:
He would buy and sell his grannies too. He should get back in that cupboard with Paul Williams.
@Eugene Comaskey: Martin was in his government, The same Martin that stated there was no bank bailout. It’s like asking the captain of the Titanic to come back and help steer the ship.
Just no
Unbelievable…. Bertie’s last words to brian cowan as he was closing the office dore behind him was “well im off ive f****d it up as much as i can now its your turn to do the same..oh and by the way there’s a resssion for ya
And I thought lessons had been learned
Gwan dirty Bertie!!
That eejit is the reason I’ve never voted for FF, nor will I ever.
He is a gangster is this a joke ??)?)
Has he a bank account by now ? Given banks are getting scarce.
We will have a Bertie Bowl before 2030.
Fantastic news, a great Statesman. He is what this country needs.
@Dermot Cronin: lol…. Is that you Bertie?
@Dermot Cronin: is that you Bertie?
@Dermot Cronin: I like your sense of humour
Bertie was a great leader. Can’t blame him for the Lehman brothers crash and recession. Architect of the good Friday agreement, built all the fantastic motorways we have, still negotiates peace deals around the world. Not many like him around. Would buy and sell ALL the pathetic politicians from both sides we have now that just want to shout at each other. Not having a bank account was the best troll I’ve ever seen in my life tho. Majestic.
@Johnny Honest: he bought and and sold the public without reverance,no bother to him
@Johnny Honest: no oversight for what the banks and builders did and the cost of nama can also not be forgotten. Deregulation of the construction industry can also not be forgotten. Tell all the people living in apartments having to pay thousands how great Bertie is or your grandkids who will have to pay off the national debt while he was leader. A few good things can’t erase the really bad ones.
@Johnny Honest: Didn’t he tell people to Jill themselves??
*kill
@Johnny Honest: John Hume and Fr Alex Reid were the architect’s of the G.F.A. Bertie, like everything else he did, was only in it to see what he could personally get out of it. Hanging off the coat tails of some great men. Just go away Bertie!!!
He is a gangster
In a word “NO”.
The Taoiseach, while attending the ribbon-cutting of a brand Penny’s in Tallaght, says he would he be happy to see Bertie Ahern return to Irish politiics
The 2 so called enemies parties in government together, bertie at tribunal had no bank account as finance minister, took a few backhanders, politics in this country is a farce
Of course he is That Criminal Ahern probably has a black book on half of the Government
Gwan dirty Bertie!!!
MM had a problem with a bank account too so he sees no difficulty on admitting a crook back into FF. MM is a complete liability and going to bring down the party long before the next election. Unfortunately FG and SF are no better, for different reasons, so we are in real trouble. 50% + of you my people planning to leave Ireland, think we should all join them. I could go on and on but incompetence and dishonesty are the root of most of the problems
FF, the party that can’t change, learn from previous mistakes/scandals with no new ideas but still wants you to vote them into government regardless.
Micheal will probably be endorsing him for a presidential run next. Sweet baby jesus
The level of ignorance in this country about how our democracy works is astonishing. The people do not elect a Government or Taoiseach, they elect a local representative. It is these representatives (TDs) who elect a Taoiseach and he appoints ministers to the Government. As regards Bertie, dear God NO!
@Tom Slattery: and you think the TD’s choice was a good one? have they delivered on their promises? Have they tried tk deliver on what they said?
@Craig Clancy: I never expressed an opinion on that. I’m just pointing out how democracy works.
@Tom Slattery: well said
Ordinary Decent Criminal
He can fufufu f__k right off
The finance minister who didn’t have a bank account and all the other stuff that went on with him. It would be a typical FF move alright. The party of no shame. Take a hike BBBBB BERTIE
Bertie is like a floater that just wont flush
Buy an island north of Iceland inhabited by seagulls. Put him in charge of that and cut the phone lines. Transport him there by trebuchet.
Game Set & Match….Fianna Fail’s finished
Jesus wept.
There is only one thing that fella is after and that is the Park job which he believes is his right. He doesn’t do no, so get a stake of wood and a hammer.This is unfinished business to Ahern.
Will paddy the plasterer get a job too has martins brain melted can’t wait for next election
Dat’s de best one ever ha ha
Final nail in Fianna Fail’s Coffin….
Yet the ppl of Ireland aren’t, go figure Mehole…you don’t speak for me!!!
Will you get real you f00l
BERTIE is always good in a crisis to be fair
Eh eh eh eh
Final nail in FF Coffin….
The crater……it will be great to have him back!
Given the above reaction I hope Bertie does try and make a comeback. Then we can all see him suffer the humiliation he so richly deserves. Bring it on.
lllllll
But but but Bertie is a Socialist.
Dishonest and fraudulent while in power, typically involving bribery. If FF has any bone drop him like a stone
I like Bertie…. he wasn’t convicted of any wrong doing…is an accusation enough these days to end someone’s career?
@Ronan Skelly: ever heard of the Mahon Tribunal and that was only the tip of the iceberg. Complete crook
@Ronan Skelly: The Tribunal called him a liar. Ahern resigned from FF as Martin was going to expel him from F.F. The same Martin who stated there was No Bank Bailout. Conveniently failing to mention he was a Minister under Ahern and Cowen when the gangsterism of the banks was facilated by the above named.
Let him do the speaking circuit as a private citizen if he wants the plaudits on the Good Friday Agreement, and be a wise head on the media on northern matters. But he should not be re-associating with Fianna Fail or the government. That’s a period we don’t want to be reminded about.
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