Ard fheis ideal chance for Martin to outline departure, say Fianna Fáil TDs
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Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin will not be ousted but is expected to set out a timescale for his departure, with some of his TDs saying his ard fheis speech is the ideal occasion to do so.
Weekend reports quoting Kilkenny TD John McGuinness, who suggested Fianna Fáil deputies would not vote for Leo Varadkar to become taoiseach, have been dismissed by ministers and backbenchers.
Mr McGuinness said December would be a "natural timing" for Mr Martin to step down as party leader when he relinquishes the Taoiseach's office.
Fianna Fáil members should refuse to back the Fine Gael leader if Mr Martin does not step down, Mr McGuinness said.
His comments have been dismissed as a “careless solo run” by other Fianna Fáil TDs.
The Fianna Fáil ard fheis is scheduled for September 30 and October 1.
Speaking to the , Cork East TD James O’Connor said “now is not the time” for the leadership to be discussed.
“It is very important that we have stability at the top. I do not agree with calls for him to go. I do feel when it comes to the party’s poll ratings, they are a concern and need a collective focus,” he said.
Mr O’Connor called for a review of the programme for government.
Offaly TD Barry Cowen said the party’s future is not dependent on personalities or who is at the helm.
“It’s about the Fianna Fáil leadership being more chief than chairman. It’s not about being seen as part of an entourage but leading one,” he said.
“It’s about depth and substance, policy priorities, and clear, distinct measures that we want to implement to address housing, childcare, healthcare, regional development, energy provision, just transition, and unification."
Others were more critical of the calls for a change of leader later this year.
Limerick Minister of State Niall Collins said speculation about a change in leader in the run-up to Christmas is "nonsense".
“I think it’s just another serving of nonsense from John McGuinness. He cries wolf about every six to nine months," Mr Collins said.
Dublin South West's John Lahart said he does not expect Mr Martin to lead the party into the next election.
Mr Martin, who has led Fianna Fáil since 2011, has been Taoiseach since 2020 but is due to hand the position over to Mr Varadkar in December as part of the agreement of the Coalition Government, midway through its term.
Mr Lahart said that Mr Martin “has been an excellent Taoiseach” and is held in very high regard within the party.
However, he said there was nothing negative about opening up a conversation ahead of the transition in December.
The transition “focuses minds, particularly if we don’t think he is going to lead us into the next election”, said Mr Lahart.
He said the party must consider what steps it should take to ensure it is in the “best shape to face the electorate in 2025″.