Tadgh McNally reports from Brussels

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has softened his stance on former Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern, whose tribunal evidence he once compared to that of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan.

The former Taoiseach rejoined Fianna Fáil in December, after he quit the party more than ten years ago following the Mahon Tribunal.

A spokesperson for Fianna Fáil said: “We received a membership application and it was accepted by the Party.”

Varadkar said that the decision to readmit Ahern was a matter for Fianna Fáil and that it was “entirely their decision”.

When asked about his comments about Ahern in 2008, however, Varadkar distanced himself from the remarks.

Varadkar, just weeks after Ahern resigned as Taoiseach on 6 May 2008, told the Dáil:

“A former Taoiseach has gone to the tribunal and essentially given the John Gilligan defence — that he won the money on the horses,” Varadkar said at the time.

“This is a defence for drug dealers and pimps and not the kind of thing that should be tolerated from a former Taoiseach and Member of this House.”

However, when asked about his comments in Brussels this morning, Varadkar said that those comments were made at a point in time.

“I think that was at a particular point in time and if you look at the totality of Bertie Ahern’s career, you know, let’s not forget that he was one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement and that’s something that we’re going to recognise in a few months time,” he said.

I don’t think anyone can diminish the role that he played.

“But you know, who’s a member of Fianna Fáil is a matter for Fianna Fáil, it’s not my business.”

Varadkar added that Ahern had been in touch with him in recent years, particularly in relation to Brexit and Northern Ireland.

“He’s somebody who’s been in touch from time to time with me down the years in relation to Brexit and in relation to Northern Ireland and just as is the case for any former Taoiseach, whether it’s Enda Kenny or John Bruton, the advice is always welcome and very useful,” he said. 

Ahern had initially resigned from Fianna Fáil in 2012, following the conclusion of the Mahon Tribunal.

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 but it it did not make findings of corruption against Ahern.

In Washington, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has welcomed Ahern’s return to the party.

According to the Irish Times, Martin said that Ahern had made “an outstanding contribution to peace on the island of Ireland”.

“I believe significant time has passed and I just think, in the context of that achievement, I would welcome his membership.”

‘Enormous contribution’

Speaking at the launch of the 2023 Summer Programme this afternoon, Education Minister Norma Foley said Ahern made an “enormous contribution to political life, most especially in terms of peace in this country”.

“I think it’s rather apt that as we in the coming months look towards the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, that Bertie would have sought to return to Fianna Fáil,” she said.

“I think that’s positive and I think we must be cognisant of not just the work that he did in that time, but the work that he continues to do to sustain peace on this island, I think we’re all cognisant of that.”

Asked whether Ahern would be a good candidate for the party to make a bid for the Áras in 2025, Foley said that was a matter for “the man himself”. 

“I don’t think there is a vacancy there at present and I think time will tell what happens in the future,” she said.

“That will take care of itself at that time. All due respect to the president that is presently holding the office and who is doing an excellent job I think, conversation in relation to that should be at the appropriate time in two years time.”