Ahern was Taoiseach for nearly 11 years.
According to The Irish Examiner, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said that there is zero chance of Bertie Ahern returning to the Fianna Fáil fold.
Fianna Fáil are currently holding their first Ard Fheis since the election and it was here that Martin said he would rule out Ahern returning to the party and rejected the suggestion that Ahern should be considered for a grassroots medal.
The Ard Fheis is currently taking place at the RDS in Dublin.
People from the party were asked to name individuals who they thought, at a local level, would be deserving of a medal of honour for their service to the party.
The former Taoiseach – who is no longer a member of Fianna Fáil – was one of the names that was suggested but the motion was rejected by the current leader.
The return of Ahern has been a talking point in the RDS but Martin has made it clear that there is no place for him in the party and that he has had his time in politics and has been rewarded enough for it.
“Those of us including Bertie who had the honour of serving in high office, that’s our reward, it’s a great privilege to serve in office and that should be reward enough,” Martin said referring to the suggestion of Ahern being awarded the medal.
He concluded, “My position [ruling out any return of Mr Ahern to Fianna Fáil] hasn’t changed on that.”
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