Taoiseach slams 'inaccurate' commentary as Fianna Fáil TDs call for report publication

James Cox

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has slammed "extremely disappointing, selective and inaccurate" commentary over Fianna Fáil's review into the presidential election. 

The party is still reeling from Jim Gavin's disastrous presidential campaign, with huge pressure on Mr Martin.

Mr Martin has said the report has been delayed as Mr Gavin's legal representative requested a review before its publication.

Amid pressure from TDs and councillors, Mr Martin issued a statement this evening in which he said the "party wants to be absolutely clear that the party leader has not yet received the report".

The statement reads: "The terms of reference for the Presidential Election Review were agreed by the Parliamentary Party.

"In the terms of reference, it was agreed that the party leader would receive the report once the review was completed and it would subsequently be shared and discussed with the Parliamentary Party.

"The Committee is finalising the report. The party wants to be absolutely clear that the party leader has not yet received the report.

"The leader has been keen to allow the review committee to do its work independently. The commentary of the past week has been extremely disappointing, selective and inaccurate.

"The leader takes exception, in particular, to some of what has been written over the weekend which has been based on false assertions.

"A meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party will of course be convened to discuss the full report, including its findings and recommendations for the future, when it has been received."

Earlier on Monday, Willie O’Dea, Seán O’Fearghaíl, the former Ceann Comhairle, and Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher said in a statement that party members “deserve transparency and respect”.

They said that “continued leaking from the report is damaging Fianna Fáil’s reputation” and “points to a lack of candour within Fianna Fáil”.

They added: “This lack of candour contributed to the current debacle and seriously weakened confidence in our internal decision-making.

“Accountability is now essential if we are to restore trust and credibility.”

The review, which is expected to be nearly 30 pages in length, is understood to reveal that the Taoiseach’s chief of staff, Deirdre Gillane, was told on September 5th that an issue may exist between Jim Gavin and a former tenant.

After it emerged that Mr Gavin owed a former tenant €3,300, he withdrew from the running in the presidential election. He has since paid back the money.

Sources have indicated there is huge anger at Mr Martin over the campaign.

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher had also sought the Fianna Fáil nomination but Mr Gavin was backed by the Taoiseach.