Not for the first time in his 15 years as Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin has found himself answering questions about Bertie Ahern.
And not for the first time since he left political office, Bertie Ahern has found himself centre stage.
The former taoiseach this afternoon resiled somewhat from comments made in a video, which was recorded without his knowledge ten days ago while out canvassing with his long-time friend and Fianna Fáil Dublin Central bye-election candidate John Stephens.
Mr Ahern is recorded in the video saying, in a conversation, that he has concerns about the level of immigration, saying "the ones I worry about are the Africans" and that Ireland "can't be taking in people" coming from "the Congo and all these places", as well as the next generation of Muslims in Ireland.
While the former Fianna Fáil leader has since stepped back from the remarks - speaking to both RTÉ and other media outlets - he still represents the most high-profile political figure recorded as expressing concern about Ireland's path on immigration.
It remains to be seen whether Mr Ahern’s remarks are just a frisson of consternation or represent something more substantial in the migration debate.
One thing is for certain; this is something Micheál Martin could have done without.
Firstly, it comes as Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is on a mission to overhaul Ireland’s asylum laws amid some trenchant opposition across the Dáil chamber.
Mr Ahern was keen to stress today how he agreed with Mr O’Callaghan’s policies on immigration.
However, as People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy pointedly remarked to the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions: "What people say when they don’t think they’re being recorded is more valuable than what they say when they do know they’re being recorded."
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Given the former taoiseach was once well known for his political antennae, were his remarks in the hope of securing a vote or was he simply trying to get out of an awkward and fractious situation, as he has since suggested?
Secondly, one imagines the Taoiseach hardly wanted to answer awkward questions about one of the most successful electoral figures in his party's history just 48 hours ahead of a special Ard Fheis to mark Fianna Fáil’s centenary year.
Ahead of the gathering, Fianna Fáil Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú - like Mr Ahern spurned by FF HQ for a tilt at the President - wants the former taoiseach to apologise.
Low expectations for FF in Dublin Central
The controversy also comes with Fianna Fáil figures privately harbouring low expectations of their prospects in both the Dublin Central and Galway West bye-elections. A particularly poor showing in those contests may once again trigger internal criticism of Micheál Martin’s leadership.
Bertie Ahern’s comments must also be viewed in the context of the race of the fill Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe’s seat in Dublin Central.
Protests in East Wall in late 2022 over the housing of around 380 asylum seekers in an old ESB billing were the first in a wave of similar demonstrations across Ireland in the approximately 18 months that followed.
One of those heavily prominent in those East Wall protests was Malachy Steenson. An independent candidate in the forthcoming bye-election, he was today a lone voice in welcoming Bertie Ahern’s comments.
Independent candidate Gerard Hutch earlier this month said immigrants who "mooched" off the State should be interned in the Curragh camp,
Other candidates, including those of the Social Democrats, the Green Party, People Before Profit and the Labour Party condemned Mr Ahern’s initial remarks.
Some candidates were reluctant to get involved.
While those canvassing in the constituency insist immigration is not as big an issue as it was, it will be interesting to see whether Bertie Ahern’s remarks alter that in any significant way, over a week out from polling.
As for the former Fianna Fáil leader himself, his ally Independent Dublin City Councillor Nial Ring leaped to his defence, stating that the public’s judgment of Mr Ahern "who topped the poll in Dublin Central for decades is a far more accurate measure of the man than the current orchestrated outrage from out-of-touch critics".
John Stephens had canvassed for Bertie Ahern over 20 years when the Drumcondra Mafia was in its pomp.
However, given Dublin Central was Fianna Fáil’s second weakest constituency in the 2024 General Election, today's events are unlikely to alter Mr Stephens' fate.
But still, like old times, Bertie Ahern once again takes centre stage in Dublin Central.
