Ahern: No return to power in 2016 for Fianna Fáil

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern believes Fianna Fáil will fail to re-enter government regardless of what happens in the upcoming general election, placing pressure on current leader Micheál Martin.

The controversial figure outlined his view in a wide-ranging interview with UTV Ireland in which he also said he will attend the cross-party banking inquiry “if I’m asked”.

Mr Ahern — whose period in office during the Celtic Tiger years has been badly tarnished by the subsequent financial crisis and the Mahon tribunal findings — said he believes Fianna Fáil will “eventually” return to power. However, mirroring Christmas comments from ex-education minister Mary Hanafin — who caused consternation within Fianna Fáil when she ran in May’s local elections, against Mr Martin’s wishes — he appeared to reject suggestions the party could form a coalition after the next election.

When asked if Mr Martin will be a future taoiseach, Mr Ahern said: “God knows. I don’t think they’ll be back in the next election. I presume Fianna Fáil will be in opposition, will be the main opposition. I think that’s the role they’ll be in and that’s the role I’d like to see them in.”

Latest polls put Fianna Fáil on 19%, just behind Sinn Féin on 20%. Fine Gael are on 24%, Independents on 26%, Labour on 9% and the Greens on 2%, leading to suggestions Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael could form a future coalition.

Meanwhile, Mr Ahern also said he will go before the banking inquiry “if I’m asked”.

He said he believes the investigation should be “finished by the autumn” or else it will lose “any kind of relevance”, adding: “These things happened in 2007-08, so if they can just get on with it hopefully it will be of some benefit.”