Amid continuing tension within Fianna Fáil, members dissatisfied with party leader Micheál Martin have agreed to wait until the internal review of the party’s Presidential campaign is completed within the next two weeks before taking any action.
Earlier, several TDs claimed that ten of the twelve signatures required for a no-confidence motion against Mr Martin had already been gathered, reports RTE.
Sources close to the leader indicated that the review of the party’s Presidential campaign is progressing well and expected to conclude in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, the Government is preparing to unveil its housing and infrastructure strategies, reports RTE.
Those close to Mr Martin have firmly dismissed speculation of an internal leadership challenge.
Some Fianna Fáil TDs are actively discussing Micheál Martin’s leadership, according to John Lahart, reports RTE.
Speaking earlier, Mr Lahart told RTÉ News that he agreed with colleague John McGuinness that a discussion about the party’s leadership is necessary.
Mr McGuinness has argued that Fianna Fáil needs new leadership “in the not too distant future”, reports RTE.
“It is a conversation that the party needs to have. The events of the last few weeks, the result yesterday, and the outcome of the result have brought that conversation forward,” Mr Lahart said, reports RTE.
He added that there is significant respect for Mr Martin’s achievements over his 14-year tenure, but the outcome of the Presidential election showed a misjudgment that would carry lasting implications.
Mr Lahart also said that the political centre ground has fractured, with a left-right divide now shaping Irish politics for the first time, reports RTE.
“I don’t think Fianna Fáil can just sit back and observe that,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr McGuinness, the TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, reiterated that the party requires a new leader “in the not too distant future”.
Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week, he said the party had made “serious errors” during the Presidential campaign, which ultimately led to its candidate, Jim Gavin, dropping out of the race, reports RTE.
Mr Gavin had been nominated by Mr Martin and deputy leader Jack Chambers following expressions of interest from MEP Billy Kelleher and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Mr McGuinness said party members were “extremely disappointed by the lack of selection process” during the election, reports RTE.
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 RTE.
He added that the party’s current polling at 17% mirrors its standing back in 2011.
“We do have to look at the structures within the party, but we also have to question the leadership team, which is made up of the Taoiseach, some unelected advisers and Fianna Fail headquarters,” reports RTE.
When asked whether the responsibility for the candidate selection rested mainly with Mr Martin, Mr McGuinness said it did and added: “The selection of Jim Gavin came at a time when the leadership team decided that Billy Kelleher should not be the candidate, so they announced Jim Gavin’s candidacy, and that in turn caused a vote – there was a contrived majority,” reports RTE.
He said it “was just a shocking embarrassment for members of the party”, reports RTE.
Mr McGuinness said the Presidential election highlighted the need for Fianna Fáil to “reinvent itself for the future”.
Asked whether that required a change of leader, he said: “In due course, yes,” reports RTE.
Pressed on when such a move should occur, Mr McGuinness replied: “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 RTE.
Some within Fianna Fáil have suggested that Mr Martin could remain as leader and Taoiseach until Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council concludes 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 RTE.
He added that there should be an “open discussion within the next 10 days”, reports RTE.
Mr McGuinness insisted that a majority within the party now supports a “root-and-branch change”, reports RTE.
