Fianna Fáil figures rally around Taoiseach amid pressure over Gavin report

Vivienne Clarke

Fianna Fáil Minister of State Thomas Byrne has defended party leader Micheál Martin’s handling of the Jim Gavin issue.

The Taoiseach and the party had been relying on the candidate to provide information, there were no public records on disputes with tenants and the information was not readily available. It had only been when the tenant approached the party that they became aware of the situation, Mr Byrne told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.

Mr Byrne said that at the time the party had been dealing with other allegations on social media against Mr Gavin that turned out to be false. Once the Taoiseach became aware of the full details of the issue involving a former tenant of Mr Gavin he suggested that Mr Gavin should withdraw from the presidential campaign.

"When you have no specific information in relation to that, I'm not sure what more you can do. I mean, there are no public records available of disputes with tenants or issues with tenants.

"Because in relation to any kind of an election, any presidential election in particular, there will be all sorts of queries coming in. If they are specific issues, obviously the party deals with them.

“It's really important as a party that we focus on the issues that matter to people. Yes it was really important to do this review, yes it's important to have this discussion, but if we continue to talk about internal matters the public will turn off. We need to focus with a laser-sharp focus on housing, the cost of living, healthcare, the issues that matter to people.”

On Newstalk Breakfast Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews said it was now time for the party “to get on with it”. His party colleague Seamus McGrath TD emphasised the need for a clearer nomination process in future presidential campaigns.

"We need to be clear about how nominations take place. We do need to consult more broadly across the party. We have paid-up party members, we've elected councillors, elected TDs, senators, MEPs and so on.

"There needs to be a broader consultation process included but it needs to be clear, it needs to be laid down and I think that is the key overall recommendation that I will be looking for, that is for future purposes, that is nailed down and that everybody knows how a nomination process takes place."