A Government minister has said that the “vast majority” of Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary members continue to back Micheál Martin’s leadership.
This comes following calls from several backbenchers for a debate on potential leadership changes after the recent presidential election, reports Breaking News.
Party candidate Jim Gavin had revealed weeks before polling day that he was withdrawing from the race after it emerged he owed a former tenant several thousand euro, a sum he has since paid back.
The leadership’s approach to choosing a candidate and the subsequent campaign has drawn scrutiny over its decision-making, reports Breaking News.
Mr Gavin had been nominated by Mr Martin and deputy leader Jack Chambers, following expressions of interest from other figures such as MEP Billy Kelleher and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Over the weekend, Fianna Fáil TDs John McGuinness and John Lahart said the party must have an open discussion about the leadership’s decision-making, reports Breaking News.
On Monday, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien stated that the “vast majority” of Fianna Fáil’s 48 TDs and 20 senators “support Micheál Martin as leader unquestionably”.
He said: “If you look at the 14 years that Micheál Martin has led Fianna Fáil, he’s brought the party back literally from the brink, back to be the largest party in government: 48 TDs in the last election just less than a year ago, and he has shown great leadership over the course of that,” reports Breaking News.
Mr O’Brien confirmed that an internal review into the presidential election campaign is currently ongoing.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said: “The last few weeks have certainly been difficult, unquestionably, for Fianna Fáil.
“Our parliamentary party actually met just over two weeks ago, and we had a full discussion with the party leader and amongst colleagues about what happened, and there was a lot of disappointment unquestionably.
“I was disappointed. The party leader was well, and that review is under way, and we have to learn from that, and we will.
“But whilst we’re doing that, we also have to get on with the work that we’re elected to do for our people, and that is the singular focus that Micheal has as Taoiseach and as leader,” reports Breaking News.
Mr O’Brien acknowledged “real disappointment” within the party but said that speculation about leadership might be “looking at this too deeply”.
He said: “Learnings need to be made and will be made from that. But I think if you look back, to be fair to the party leader, over the last 14 years, he’s got all of the big calls right in that period of time,” reports Breaking News.
His comments followed remarks by Fianna Fáil Senator Anne Rabbitte, who told the same programme that she shared the views of Mr McGuinness and Mr Lahart.
Mr McGuinness said party members are “extremely disappointed by the lack of selection process” in the recent election, reports Breaking News.
He said: “They were not consulted, councillors were not consulted, TDs were not consulted, the national executive was not consulted – so as a result of that inaction, we have arrived a situation where the campaign itself turned into a shambles,” reports Breaking News.
Mr McGuinness added that the presidential election had highlighted the need for Fianna Fáil to “reinvent itself for the future”.
When asked if that required a new leader, he said: “In due course, yes,” reports Breaking News.
Pressed on the timing, Mr McGuinness said: “Firstly we have to examine what happened in this election – but I think it’s quite clear what happened – and I think it’s quite clear what needs to be done some time in the not too distant future,” reports Breaking News.
Some have suggested that Mr Martin could stay on as leader and Taoiseach until Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council ends in December 2026.
However, Mr McGuinness said: “Quite frankly, I don’t think the party can wait until then. I think the party must reflect immediately on what happened and take the appropriate steps,” reports Breaking News.
He said there should be an “open discussion within the next 10 days”, reports Breaking News.
Mr Lahart also argued for a conversation on leadership, describing the campaign for Mr Gavin as a “significant error in judgment”.
He said there was “huge affection” for Mr Martin, but added: “The party can’t afford the kind of error and errors that were made in the selection process here,” reports Breaking News.
Ms Rabbitte acknowledged that frustration was mounting among grassroots members of the party, reports Breaking News.
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