Bertie Ahern is confident he might have secured victory in the presidential race as Fianna Fáil’s candidate, even as the party has commissioned an inquiry into its disastrous campaign.
Jim Gavin abruptly withdrew from the contest after it came to light that he owed a former tenant €3,300, an amount he has now repaid. This late exit caused significant embarrassment for the party, with leader Micheál Martin issuing an apology to parliamentary members for the chaotic situation, reports The Mirror.
The Taoiseach acknowledged that the party “clearly” requires a new system for selecting its Áras candidate, and he has pledged to conduct a review of the process that led to Mr Gavin’s nomination.
The panel heading this review will consist of senior counsel Ciaran O’Loughlin, Fianna Fáil senator Margaret Murphy O’Mahony, and Fianna Fáil TDs Eamon Scanlon and Tom Brabazon, reports The Mirror,
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
The review is expected to be finalized within a month and will examine the procedures followed during the selection process, including the criteria used to identify and choose a candidate.
Mr Gavin was picked by the party after competing against MEP Billy Kelleher in an internal vote. Bertie Ahern revealed he also wished to be considered but did not put his name forward due to insufficient backing from Mr Martin, reports The Mirror.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Thursday, the former Taoiseach stated he believes he could have won the presidency if he had been a candidate.
He said: “I’ve been in all 32 counties. I’ve done various functions from big to small, you have to believe you could have won. I felt this was my time, I’m 74, you weren’t going to get another chance and that was it.” Mr Ahern said he was disappointed by the Fianna Fáil leader for not giving him a shot, adding: “If they didn’t want me, they had an opportunity to tell me anywhere between Christmas and Easter. Then I had the choice of whether to run as an independent or not,” reports The Mirror.
He continued: “Back in August, after I got over my own trials and tribulations, I should have spent the last month out for Jim Gavin, who I know well, a fine person, always was kind to me and very kind to my county. I would have gladly been out for September working for him on the ground. They’re difficult campaigns, but I wish Jim well and his family well going forward, because Jim is a fine fella,” reports The Mirror.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
