Bertie Ahern Backtracks On Immigration Comments
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What controversial comments did Bertie Ahern make about immigration?
Louise Byrne, what has Bertie O'Hearn been saying about his controversial comments that were recorded on a doorstep during a canvas in Dublin Central?
quite an interesting I think 24 hours for Bertie O'Hearn and I'm sure many people would have seen the video at this point that shows Bertie O'Hearn unknowingly being recorded while out canvassing in Dublin Central. I've been speaking to Bertie O'Hearn in the last little while and He has said that he has no problem with people from Africa or from the Congo. And that is in reference to comments he made during the course of conversation with someone on her doorstep, where he said that he believed that there was too many immigrants coming into Ireland, that the ones he worried about are the Africans. That's a quote. And another quote, we can't be taking in people from the Congo and all these places.
He's accepted now that he He, you know, he regrets speaking to the woman in the first instance, he said to me, but he said he probably shouldn't have said what he said. Another comment that he made is that he's not worried about the current generation of Muslim people and that where problems could arise is with the next generation of Muslim people.
What was Bertie Ahern's response to his remarks about immigrants from Africa?
He said he also shouldn't have said that.
OK, let's take a quick listen of what Bertie Hearn was recorded as saying.
I think there's too many coming in. I think we have to take some in. I have no problem with the Ukrainians because, you know, in fairness, the Russian moved in and warned our country. But a lot of the Ukrainians are going back now. And we still have a lot of Poles here. But the ones I worry about are the Africans. Yeah. I don't agree with you on the Africans.
How did political analysts react to Ahern's comments?
We can't be taking in people from the Congo and all these places. Yeah.
Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government at DCU. Is this a proper controversy or should we be paying too much attention to what Bertie O'Hearn had to say?
I think a little bit of both, Danny. It's important because Berthier Hearn is a former Taoiseach. Taoiseach for close to 11 years, between 1997 and 2008. So any time former Taoiseach make interjections in public debates is probably noteworthy in itself. And to the opposite point, I mean, Berthier Hearn is very much yesterday's man in Fianna Fáil, as I think the Taoiseach made clear today when he said Berthier Hearn didn't speak for Fianna Fáil. Remember, Berthier Hearn hasn't
What impact could Ahern's comments have on the upcoming bye-elections?
Stood for an election since 2007. And Fianna Fáil haven't had a TD in Dublin Central since he resigned. His brother ran In the 2009 by-election, Maurice Ahern came, I think, fifth, getting a very poor vote. Dublin Centre has been a bit of a wasteland for Fianna Fáil since. So in that context, you can see why Micheál Martin probably didn't want Berkeley Ahern running as the Fianna Fáil candidate for president, although it didn't work out with Jim Gavin either. And I suspect that this will probably dissipate over the next few days. But it does go to the idea of whether politicians are speaking straight up when they're talking to people on the doors or whether they're sort of. Speaking slightly, Jane is faced, as I think Bertie O'Hearn himself rather admitted today, as Louise has just told us when he clarified his remarks.
Louise, Bertie O'Hearn is known to be very close to John Stevens and I'll declare my interest.
Who are the main candidates in the Dublin Central bye-election?
This is my local area, so I know the personalities pretty well. John Stevens is a Bertie O'Hearn acolyte. So has there been any attempt by John Stevens to distance himself from Bertie O'Hearn or to say, listen, he doesn't share those views or what has the candidate himself been saying?
Nothing yet. And I think that's kind of the interesting part of it. And canvassing is obviously continuing and there will be reporters out with John Stevens today. I know we were trying to get out with him yesterday to no avail. But I think it will be interesting to see what he has to say, because like you said, he is perceived as being quite friendly with Bertie Ahern. You know, the Taoiseach, I asked the Taoiseach earlier, you know, did these comments represent the views of Fianna Fáil and of John Stevens, which the Taoiseach actually tried to tell me that was an unfair thing to suggest.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What controversial comments did Bertie Ahern make about immigration?
0:00–1:22
2
What was Bertie Ahern's response to his remarks about immigrants from Africa?
1:22–1:53
3
How did political analysts react to Ahern's comments?
1:53–2:45
4
What impact could Ahern's comments have on the upcoming bye-elections?
2:45–3:45
5
Who are the main candidates in the Dublin Central bye-election?
3:45–4:33
6
What are the dynamics of the election race in Dublin Central?
4:33–5:29
7
How might the controversy affect John Stevens' campaign?
5:29–6:30
8
What future challenges does Fianna Fáil face in Dublin Central?
6:30–13:00
Speakers
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