With an upended Presidential Election and the recent Budget 2026, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined The Pat Kenny Show to discuss the issues of the day.
On Fianna Fáil’s former presidential candidate, Mr Martin said that while he accepts full responsibility for offering Jim Gavin his recommendation, he was “not responsible for everything that unfolded”.
“We would have been totally unaware of the issue, despite very comprehensive due diligence, because we know what presidential elections can do,” he said.
“I have the experience of knowing what they have done to people in the past and how they’ve been very difficult.
“But the party were adamant that they wanted – and I accept that I agreed with that – that we would run a candidate.”
Mr Martin said "no one" in his party expressed an interest in running for the presidency until the end of July, including MEP Billy Kelleher.
📰⚡JUST IN: An Taoiseach Micheál Martin tells Pat Kenny that 'no one' in his party expressed an interest in running for the presidency until the end of July, including Billy Kelleher MEP, who had suggested that the Taoiseach himself should run.
Martin also said he had not… pic.twitter.com/Ym8iaTscvv
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) October 8, 2025
Mr Martin also denied that he rejected Bertie Ahern’s bid out of hand - but did admit he didn’t think the former taoiseach “would have made it”.
“Nothing against Bertie at all, I have great respect for Bertie Ahern because of what he did for the peace process,” he said.
However, Mr Martin said a run for the Áras would have been “incredibly bruising” for Mr Ahern.
“I don’t know why he would want to bring it upon himself,” he said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin (right) speaks to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern after the funeral mass for Dr Martin Mansergh, at St. Mary's Church, Tipperary. Picture date: Monday October 6, 2025. Niall Carson / AlamyThe Irish Independent claim they had asked Fianna Fáil if the party were aware of any issue between Mr Gavin and his former tenant before he was selected as a candidate.
“[Fianna Fáil] immediately went to the candidate and [he] said, ‘No, absolutely not’,” Mr Martin said.
“And there were other rumours, you see, as well; and this is very difficult for people who put themselves forward.
“There’s quite a number of people [who] had a session with him – I don’t think any TD ever would have gone through what he would have gone through in terms of assessment.”
The tenant has since identified himself as the Sunday World's Niall Donald.
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The Irish Independent also reported that at the time of the tenancy in question, Mr Gavin was not registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
But Mr Martin said, “is that in itself a block?”
“60% of people didn’t register at that a particular time,” he said.
“That would have been asked; but I think the fundamental point also was asked – the minute you hear someone was a landlord, the question was asked, ‘Was there any issue in terms of tenants’.
“And the answer was no.”
Mr Martin said he has not spoken to Jim Gavin since his announcement that he would be dropping out of the race.
Main image: Micheál Martin in the Newstalk studio. 8/10/25.
