A leadership challenge is not brewing against Micheál Martin within Fianna Fáil, according to the party’s deputy leader.
Jack Chambers appeared on RTÉ’s News at One after the Taoiseach came under fire from several of his party’s backbenchers over the Government’s handling of the recent fuel protests, reports Breaking News.
On Wednesday night, Martin met with Fianna Fáil’s three youngest TDs after they released a letter stating they viewed “events of the past few weeks with a real and deep concern.”
Following the publication of the letter, senior party members also expressed their unease at the Government’s management of the fuel protests and blockades, reports Breaking News.
When asked by presenter Aine Lawlor whether the events of recent days could lead to a “heave” against Martin, Chambers replied “not at all.”
He also stated that he did not believe Martin would step down as leader following Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which the country is scheduled to hold from July to December this year, reports Breaking News.
When asked if Martin would give the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in May a “timeline for his departure”, Chambers replied “absolutely not.”
There is still “continued and widespread support for Micheál Martin as leader and Taoiseach of our country,” he said, adding: “He’s got a strong mandate from the last general election,” reports Breaking News.
Chambers told RTÉ he was not present at the meeting with the three young TDs — James O’Connor, Albert Dolan, and Ryan O’Meara — but said he understood they had a “constructive and positive conversation about the concerns that they set out in their public statement.”
Asked whether there would be an “urgent meeting” of the parliamentary party, as called for by some TDs, Chambers said a four-hour meeting had already taken place on Monday where there was “strong feedback” about “their experience of the last week,” reports Breaking News.
He added that another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.
Chambers said he “would not entertain” questions about his own leadership ambitions, and said Martin works “night and day in the interests of people across this country,” reports Breaking News.
Ministers, like himself, were not pushing for a new leader out of an “absolute respect for him in his role and the huge integrity and dedication he brings to that office and his huge focus on public service,” Chambers said, adding: “I think we need to support him through that,” reports Breaking News.
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