A lot of people in politics have done 'far worse' than Bertie Ahern, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said.
The Fianna Fáil leader was speaking after Mr Ahern rejoined the party, 11 years after he resigned under a cloud of controversy over the findings of the Mahon Tribunal.
Mr Martin told The Hard Shoulder he did not want to stop him.
"I think, in the context of the Good Friday Agreement, certainly I felt, and as the anniversary's come up, he joined his local cumman," he said.
"We weren't going to stop that.
"There are issues and I've made my position very clear on those back at the time.
"They will always be there.
"There's a lot of other people in politics who did far worse - I won't go into all that - and who got elected subsequently and went into politics.
"I think we need perspective on all of these."
Bertie Ahern and Michael Martin at Dublin Castle in February 2004. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy Stock PhotoMr Martin said he believes Mr Ahern has a lifelong commitment to peace.
"He joined his local branch; I think he had a lifelong commitment," he said.
"He is doing a lot of work; he engages in Northern Ireland with people from different communities... because it's a lifelong mission of his in terms of peace on the island.
"I don't think we can take that from Bertie Ahern".
'A reminder to current leadership'
Mr Martin said Newstalk’s new podcast featuring Mr Ahern in conversation with the key players in the Good Friday Agreement is 'important'.
As I Remember It: Bertie Ahern & The Good Friday Agreement features interviews with everyone from Bill Clinton to Tony Blair as the 25th anniversary of the accord approaches.
"I think it's very important in this year - the 25th anniversary year - that we facilitate a good, well-informed discussion around the Good Friday Agreement itself and the courage of the political leadership of that time," he said.
"The courage of all the leaders at the time is a reminder to current leadership to show courage as well, in the context of the current issues around the [Northern Ireland] Protocol and all of that.
"What they faced back then and the decisions they had to take were of a far higher order - I would put forward - than perhaps the issues that confront political leadership and parties today".
Asked if it would he be on his playlist, Mr Martin added: "It will be of course; I have more than an interest in it and I think it informs the future as well".
As I Remember It
As I Remember It is a nine-part series that will launch on all streaming platforms this February 23rd.
Three episodes will be released each week throughout the run.
For bonus content including interviews, videos, an interactive timeline of the peace process and a full glossary off the key players head to newstalk.com/goodfridayagreement.
You can hear Episode One here:
Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts
Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.
