SORRY: New FF era begins with an apology as Martin takes helm

FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin kicked off a four-week campaign to rescue his party from electoral wipeout by delivering an apology for its mistakes.

On his first day as eighth leader of Fianna Fáil, Mr Martin sought to bury the party’s recent past saying: “I am sorry for the mistakes we have made as a party and that I made as a minister.”

The Cork South Central TD emerged victorious in a leadership vote that dealt a humiliating defeat to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, who came in behind Éamon Ó Cuív but ahead of Mary Hanafin.

Mr Martin threw down a challenge to the other parties to take part in “the most extensive and detailed series of debates yet seen in an Irish election”.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore welcomed “in principle” the proposal for two three-way debates and a number of one-on-one TV debates, including one in Irish.

But Enda Kenny was last night shying away from the challenge. His spokesperson said Mr Kenny has not received an invite yet and will respond in due course.

A Fine Gael source said: “It’s not surprising that a new leader would want to communicate through a TV show. But Fine Gael will seek to communicate directly with the electorate.”

Mr Martin, who faces the task of appointing a new front bench, deputy leader and director of elections in the coming days, promised to “engage and be open” with people and “fight this campaign vigorously both on the ground, in the media and on the airwaves”. He said each party had “an obligation to put a detailed, credible plan before the people” because the “traditional model of election debates is seriously flawed”.

While accepting Fianna Fáil faced its toughest election “since its foundation”, Mr Martin refused to be drawn on what number he is targeting to lift it from its current support rate of 14%. He hinted that his party could face up to a decade in opposition, saying he has committed to “another 10 years” in the leadership role.

And he still holds out hope of becoming Cork’s first taoiseach since Jack Lynch. “In assuming the position of leader of Fianna Fáil I am well aware of the divisions and achievements of my predecessors.

“And clearly that would be an objective of mine to become taoiseach of this country and I aim to do that,” he said.

Brian Cowen will stay on as Taoiseach while his party has a new leader. Last night he congratulated Mr Martin who he said was “a politician of accomplishment”.

He said: “I have told Micheál he has my full support in his new role and I wish him the very best in the immediate task of leading the party into the election.”

Fianna Fáil TDs voted for their new leader as the party’s minority government, led by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, survived a crucial Dáil vote on the Finance Bill.

Independent TDs Jackie Healy Rae and Michael Lowry agreed to support the bill to pass it by two votes, after securing last-minute concessions.