Senior Fianna Fáil figures in Mayo yesterday criticised the Taoiseach for suggesting that Independent TD Beverley Flynn would be considered for a junior ministry if she resolved her legal issues and rejoined the party.
Newly-elected Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary, former senator and councillor Frank Chambers, and secretary of the Mayo Comhairle Dáil Ceantair Eamon Joyce, all said they were "surprised" that Mr Ahern made his comments before the conclusion of Ms Flynn's bankruptcy court proceedings.
Deputy Calleary told The Irish Times that while as a first-time TD he would not presume to give advice to a third-time Taoiseach, he was surprised at the timing of Mr Ahern's comments.
On Friday Mr Ahern described Ms Flynn as a person of "enormous ability" and said if she didn't have all the difficulties of the past she would have been a "very strong contender" now for a promotion.
He said the question of Ms Flynn going back to Fianna Fáil was a "process that has to be resolved with her local organisation" when she sorted out other issues.
Mr Calleary said yesterday he had a lot of experience through his work with Chambers Ireland for eight years and on the Fianna Fáil national executive, and if Mr Ahern was looking for someone to serve for Mayo "I'm here".
However, he said Mr Ahern made his comments in the context of Ms Flynn resolving her legal issues and he welcomed the fact that he committed to consulting with the party organisation in Mayo.
"People have come out of a tough election in Mayo and they need to be consulted. It is important we have good consultation."
Mr Joyce, who is also secretary of the John Jordan Cumann in Castlebar, said Mr Ahern's comments had isolated a lot of loyal Fianna Fáil supporters who stayed with the organisation during the split which resulted in Ms Flynn's expulsion from the party in May 2004 after her failed libel action against RTÉ.
"His comments hurt quite a lot of people who sacrificed quite a lot at that time," Mr Joyce said.
Soundings from party members over the weekend show that many are unhappy at the lack of consultation on the issue. "When she was expelled from the party loyalties were split and people who stuck with Fianna Fáil are feeling isolated by Mr Ahern's remarks."
He said a process is in place which will take time to heal wounds and "the lightning statement from the Taoiseach will not help". Mr Joyce said there was "much surprise" that Mr Ahern made his comments before Ms Flynn's court case was resolved.
"The endorsement of her future without looking into her past or implications of the court proceedings was surprising. I have no animosity towards her but people's backs are up. It doesn't improve the prospect of uniting the party in the constituency," he said.
Meanwhile Mr Chambers said in an RTÉ radio interview he welcomed any government appointment to Mayo, but stressed that Dara Calleary had been elected and had a lot to offer.