Micheál Martin TD leader of Fianna Fáil, and his daughter Aoibhe, in conversation with former Taoiseach Brian Cowen, left. Also pictured is former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, right. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final Replay, Cork v Clare, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his brother Maurice, right, await the start of the game seated in front of Micheál Martin TD leader of Fianna Fáil, and his daughter Aoibhe. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final Replay, Cork v Clare, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Micheál Martin TD leader of Fianna Fáil, left, in attendance at the game. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final Replay, Cork v Clare, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

FIANNA Fail leader Micheal Martin says he's not embarrassed about being pictured with his predecessors Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.

The three were pictured sitting in the same section of the crowd at the All-Ireland hurling final last weekend.

Mr Martin insisted he had "no difficulty" with appearing in public with Mr Ahern and Mr Cowen.

"My daughter (Aoibhe) smiled to me when she saw the (GAA) seating arrangements," he said.

"She said, 'That will be a good photo'. Of course I don't have any difficulties on a personal level (with Mr Ahern and Mr Cowen). We are civil, we talk and that is natural." The encounter came the day after Mr Martin said Mr Ahern's "unquestioning faith" in the pay deals process was his former leader's "greatest mistake" as Taoiseach. But Mr Martin also admits he praised the pay deals while in Cabinet.

Irish Independent