Ahern can’t be Aras-ed
Bertie refuses to discuss rumours of presidential bid
BERTIE Ahern has again hinted at a run for the Aras refusing to rule out a bid for the presidency when asked about it.
The former Taoiseach, 71, remained coy when quizzed by Ryan Tubridy on RTE’S The Late Late Show on Friday night.
Ahern joined the panel to discuss his involvement in the establishment of The Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago.
During a wide ranging interview Tubs suggested that former Finance Minister Ahern is considering throwing his hat in the ring for the presidency in 2025.
However the wily ex politician, who re-joined Fianna Fail last month after an 11-year hiatus, would not be drawn on the rumours and turned the tables on Tubridy.
As Tubs, who will leave his role as host of The Late Late Show next month, quizzed Ahern on the subject, he was met with a diplomatic and witty response.
He asked: “Are you running for the Aras or not?” “Next question,” Ahern replied. “I’ll take that as a yes,” said Tubridy, adding: “Even I’m around long enough to know what that answer is.”
Ahern hinted that Tubridy could be making a presidential run of his own after leaving his Late Late role. He quipped: “Yeah well, I hear you’re running!”
When asked how he’d feel about campaigning for the Aras with the manner in which he left the Taoiseach’s office still living in the minds of potential voters, Ahern was predictably coy.
He said: “To be honest with you, I haven’t really thought about it.
“I said I’m going to really stay involved in the North for this year. So many outstanding things.”