Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern was reluctant to express clear support when asked whether he would be giving his backing to Fianna Fáil's presidential candidate Jim Gavin, after his own bid for the party’s nomination failed.
Mr Ahern dropped out of the race earlier this month after Taoiseach and party leader Micheál Martin said he would support former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin.
"I suppose [Micheál Martin] saw in his view that there was a candidate 20 years younger and somebody from outside the party.
"In all my time in Fianna Fáil, I've never seen a period where the leadership really lose out in these things," Mr Ahern said in a message to supporters when he dropped out.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Drivetime, Mr Ahern said he wishes Mr Gavin well, but "I don't think I'll be throwing too much weight behind anyone, quite frankly, but I know Jim very well".
"I also know Heather Humphreys very well, so, we'll see," he added.
Mr Ahern said he would keep his vote "to the sanctity of the polling booth".
He also said that he was "very disappointed" that he did not receive backing of the party’s leadership after preparing for a potential Áras run for two years.
Mr Ahern added that MEP Billy Kelleher stood for the nomination "to make a point that there should have been a process".
"I spent two years preparing for it, Jim Gavin came into the reckoning in late July, Billy Kelleher came in in late August.
"Maybe the lesson for future people...is that you should wait maybe until September before you decide if you're thinking about the presidency.
"Because if you think about it and plan too early or you think you're suitable, well you'll probably get the same answer as I did - which was nothing," Mr Ahern said.
He added: "It's no good crying over spilled milk, that would be seen to be bad faith.
"I had a campaign ready, I had groups throughout the country, we probably had 200 or 300 people dedicated to the campaign. We were ready to go.
"I thought some of my legacy issues 30 years ago might get a change of heart - but anyway, you live and you learn, so I just have to get on with it," Mr Ahern said.
He added that no senior party officials have contacted him following his attempt to secure the party's nomination.
However, Mr Ahern suggested that around 25 members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party said they were ready to help support him if he had secured the nomination.
Asked if he believes Mr Martin's future as Fianna Fáil leader is linked to how Mr Gavin performs in the Presidential Election, Mr Ahern replied: "That's all a matter for the parliamentary party.
"I wouldn't dare get involved in that. I might have lots of opinions, but...to be honest, as you see...my opinion doesn't matter too much in the leadership of Fianna Fáil."
Despite his seeming reluctance to clearly express support for the Fianna Fáil candidate, Mr Ahern later said he would not ignore him either.
"I could not ignore somebody who won five-in-a row medals for Dublin," he said.
