Pressure mounts on Micheál Martin to re-admit Bertie Ahern

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is facing growing pressure to re-admit Bertie Ahern to the party.

A unanimous vote by Mr Ahern’s local Dublin branch last week fuelled speculation the former Taoiseach was set to return to the political stage. However, Mr Martin immediately shot down the prospect, saying he did not expect Mr Ahern to rejoin Fianna Fáil.

Despite the party leader’s position, Mr Ahern has ramped up the pressure even more on his former cabinet colleague, in a series of critical newspaper interviews.