Martin ‘interested’ in leading Fianna Fáil

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has confirmed he would like to be the next leader of Fianna Fáil.

Mr Martin is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who is under immense pressure from his own backbenchers to quit as party leader before the general election.

The backbenchers have indicated they will support tomorrow’s budget, but want a new leader after that to try to contain the damage in the election, where Fianna Fáil is facing the prospect of huge seat losses.