After months of speculation, the ex-leader of Fianna Fáil released a statement saying he won't seek the party's nomination, and won't run as an independent candidate either.
Mr Ahern claimed the new generation has been told lies about his character and career.
The Cathaoirleach of Listowel Municipal District (MD) Michael Leane says his party's Presidential candidate nomination process needs to be updated:
Fianna Fáil's nominations close today, with the secret ballot on Tuesday within the parliamentary party likely to be between MEP Billy Kelleher and former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin.
Minister of State Niall Collins agrees that councillors and party members should have a say in who Fianna Fáil's presidential nominee is.
However, he argues that Fianna Fail's process has been much fairer than Fine Gael's:
