Martin hits out Bertie attack on 'good-for-nothing' FF members

In an upcoming documentary with TV3 on the demise of Fianna Fáil, he said rank and file were having "tea parties" during the 1970s and 1980s about the state of the world.

"But as far as building up the Fianna Fáil vote in these areas, they were useless," he said.

Staunchly defending his own stewardship of the party leading up to its electoral meltdown, Mr Ahern singled out a cumann in Dublin's north inner city during the 1970s, who he said were not northsiders and were frightened of crossing the Liffey.

"They were afraid to come into Sean McDermott Street, to drive through it, never mind canvass it," he said.

"So, quite frankly, they were a bunch of useless good for nothings."

Reacting to the remarks, Mr Martin said he would wait to see the documentary but would be appalled to hear the party grassroots described in such a way.

"That would be a completely unacceptable comment to make of the members of the party," he said.

Mr Martin said he had great respect for every member of the Fianna Fáil party and was trying to encourage people to enter public life.

"I would be appalled if that description was made of any party member," he said.

"Members of cumann are the lifeblood of politics."

Separately, Mr Martin confirmed that Fianna Fáil will not run an internal candidate in the upcoming Presidential election.

After a three-and-a-half-hour parliamentary party meeting, the leader said it was a difficult decision that would disappoint many within its ranks.

"Nonetheless, it is a strategic decision," he said.

Mr Martin said the party needed to rebuild and renew itself to remain a force in Irish political life.

He said the next local elections would be the most significant electoral milestone facing the party, and he was concentrating on that.