‘Vast majority’ support Micheál Martin as leader, O’Brien says

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The “vast majority” of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party support Micheál Martin as leader, a minister has said.

It comes after some backbenchers have called for a discussion about a change of leadership in the wake of the presidential election.

Party candidate in that election, Jim Gavin, announced weeks before polling day that he was pulling out of the race after it emerged he owed a former tenant thousands of euro, which he has since repaid.

Fianna Fáil’s handling of the candidate selection process and resulting campaign has put the leadership’s decision-making under scrutiny.

Mr Gavin was put forward to the party by Mr Martin and deputy leader Jack Chambers after expressions of interest from other hopefuls including MEP Billy Kelleher and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Fianna Fáil TDs John McGuinness and John Lahart said over the weekend that the party had to have a discussion about the judgment of the leadership.

On Monday, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said the “vast majority” of the party’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.”

Mr O’Brien said an internal review into the election was under way.

He told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland: “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.”

Mr O’Brien said there was “real disappointment” but questions 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.”

It came after Fianna Fáil Senator Anne Rabbitte told the same programme that she agreed with Mr McGuinness and Mr Lahart.

Mr McGuinness said party members are “extremely disappointed by the lack of selection process” in the election.

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.”

Mr McGuinness said the presidential election has underlined the need for Fianna Fáil to “reinvent itself for the future”.

Asked whether that meant a new leader, he said: “In due course, yes.”

Pressed on when that should happen, 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.”

It has been suggested that Mr Martin may continue as leader and Taoiseach until the end of Ireland’s presidency of the EU Council 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.”

He said there should be an “open discussion within the next 10 days”.

Mr Lahart also said there needed to be a conversation about leadership, stating the campaign for Mr Gavin was 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.”

Ms Rabbitte said there was growing annoyance in the grassroots of the party.