Bertie Ahern and FF – back to the fold?

Sir, – I note that it is proposed to return Bertie Ahern to the ranks of Fianna Fáil in time for the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement.

No-one can or should deny Mr Ahern his well-deserved place in these commemorations. However, returning him to the Fianna Fáil tent is more problematic. Mr Ahern has yet to explain his financial affairs in the 1990s, which could be charitably described as confusing. The roots of our current housing crisis were well and truly laid then, but Mr Ahern has shown little sign of repentance. One traditional view of repentance is that of the medieval philosopher Maimonides who identified five stages: naming and owning harm; beginning to change; restitution and accepting consequences; apologising; and making different choices.

I’m not sure that, at least publicly, Mr Ahern is on this path, and until he shows that he is, he should not be part of an Irish political party. – Yours, etc,

ANTHONY STAINES,