Taoiseach Distances Fianna Fáil from Bertie Ahern's Immigration Remarks

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin has distanced the Fianna Fáil party from controversial immigration comments made by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. The controversy arose after a covertly recorded video surfaced showing Ahern agreeing with a voter’s concerns about immigration levels during a canvassing interaction for the Dublin Central byelection. In the footage, Ahern stated there were 'too many coming in' and expressed specific concerns regarding arrivals from African countries and Muslim communities. Responding to media inquiries, Martin declined to directly criticize Ahern or address the covert nature of the recording. Instead, he emphasized that it was inappropriate to single out ethnicities and clarified that Ahern’s personal views do not reflect official Fianna Fáil policy or the stance of their byelection candidate, John Stephens. Martin pivoted to defending the government’s current migration and asylum reforms. Meanwhile, Labour candidate Ruth O’Dea condemned Ahern’s remarks as 'despicable' and 'beyond the pale.' Ahern’s office stated he was unaware he was being recorded until the conversation ended. The incident has sparked significant political debate ahead of the upcoming byelection.