The Bertie blockers
Former taoisigh and old enemies Micheál Martin and Enda Kenny said to be considering run for Presidency just as rehabilitated Ahern emerges as Áras favourite
BERTIE Ahern’s emergence as a possible Fianna Fáil presidential candidate is believed to have influenced the decision of Micheál Martin to contest the next general election instead of going to Europe.
Mr Martin was believed to be strongly considering a move to Brussels, but a senior Fianna Fáil figure told the Irish Mail on Sunday this week that the prospect of leaving the door open to a presidential bid by Mr Ahern was ‘a serious factor’ in his decision to stay closer to home.
Mr Martin has said he does not have designs on the Áras but some of his most senior colleagues are unconvinced.
The source said: ‘Look, Micheál said he didn’t want to be Minister for Foreign Affairs either and see where we ended up. There is no doubt he was having thoughts on Europe too and don’t fully rule that out yet. If the results are not good in the local and European elections that old instinct for self-preservation will kick in.
‘Don’t forget when it comes to networking in Europe, Micheál has two ministries. Having Defence and Foreign Affairs means – given that Defence is treated seriously in most European countries – that he has two sets of ministers to canvass.
‘Micheál would not be so coarse as to canvass for a big EU job, but all those meetings are very useful for signalling capacity and availability.
‘But one thing Micheál will not allow happen is to allow Bertie a free run for the Park. It’s personal and political.
‘He would see it as the undoing of his main legacy, exorcising the ghost of Ahern from the party.’
Although Mr Ahern has yet to declare for the Presidency, the former Taoiseach’s activity levels within Fianna Fáil after a decadelong exile, have been noted by party members.
‘Bertie has visited more councils than a senator on campaign,’ said a party insider. ‘He is looking for something. Despite all the talk, he doesn’t love the grassroots that much … until he’s looking for something.’
Another Fianna Fáil grandee said: ‘When it comes to the competition Bertie has looked and there isn’t any, he fancies his chances of vindication. Sinn Féin haven’t a Mary Robinson: they don’t even have a Gerry Adams and Fine Gael, unless they pick Heather Humphreys, don’t have much either – except a collection of yesterday’s stars.
Besides, he likes horrifying Micheál with the notion.’
The possibility of a Bertie comeback is sparking delight, but also horror in Fianna Fáil circles.
One senior party source said: ‘Bertie is like that scene from the Godfather where Michael Corleone says just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in; every time we think he has gone he comes back.
We have spent two decades trying to bury that legacy of tribunals and economic collapses and just when we think we have done it, he leaps out of the box again.’
A veteran observer of Mr Martin noted: ‘The thing with being European Commissioner is that, apart from all the hard work, you actually disappear from Irish public life. You lose all your power and
authority. Phil Hogan found that out the hard way.
‘If Micheál wants to see off Bertie permanently he’ll have to do it from the Taoiseach’s office.’
Within Fine Gael, speculation is growing that the return of his old nemesis has provoked an interest from former taoiseach, Enda Kenny, in making a comeback.
Mr Kenny has to date not declared an interest in the Presidency, but one Fine Gael grandee noted: ‘Enda may be busy making money in the private sector, PR or something and making documentaries about trains but that doesn’t do it for Enda.
‘He is starting to get twitchy. He misses the roar of the crowd. He got a good reception when Biden visited Mayo – well, better than Leo anyway. He won’t want to give Bertie a free run to the Park either.’
One Fine Gael veteran noted: ‘There are whispers from those who know him [Enda] that he could be persuaded, especially if Ahern is running. Bertie put him on the seat of his pants in 2011. Enda doesn’t forgive or forget. There is unfinished business there.’
‘Máiréad McGuinness could be the frontrunner for now but there are concerns she might only be a great candidate for a week. The question is whether she belongs in the premiership. It would be a worry for Enda. He looks at Joe Biden, still a frontline politician and wonders did he go a bit early. He certainly felt back in 2016 he was going a bit early’, they said.
‘He is looking for something’