With Martin’s dithering, a leadership challenge awaits

“HE has no choice but to put it to bed, because if he doesn’t there’s a direct challenge to his own leadership.”

That was how one long-serving Fianna Fáil politician summed up the reality facing leader Micheál Martin ahead of today’s meeting of the parliamentary party, in which he will aim to bring an end to the in-fighting over its approach to the presidential election.

Fianna Fáil, which had been split on whether members should be allowed a “free vote” to back an independent candidate of choice, are now prepared to row in behind their leader and put on a show of unity after a damaging week.

Following an intensive 24 hours of talks, there is one man who Mr Martin hasn’t managed to bring around to his way of thinking.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú is resisting calls to withdraw his bid to enter the race as an independent with the signatures of some of his Fianna Fáil colleagues to get his name on the ballot papers. He said he has the support of at least 10.

But many in the party believe he has no hope of getting the nomination and are frustrated that his approach is causing a huge headache for Fianna Fáil at a time when it should be focused on repairing its reputation.

Mr Martin will make a last-ditch attempt to get him to change his mind before today’s meeting. But if, as expected, he refuses, the party is likely to have to vote on a motion backing the leadership’s position.

One source said last night that it would have been better if the issue was sorted before the meeting, because the very debating of a motion will undermine the leader’s authority.

“It will effectively be like a confidence vote,” he said.

But Mr Martin was willing to do “whatever is necessary” to bring to an end this massive headache, according to those close to him. “It’s all about saving face at this stage,” said one.

Mr Martin was taken aback with the “more vociferous than expected” resistance last week.

But after a weekend of talks, which intensified yesterday, most TDs and senators have rallied around their leader in the belief that one man and what was described as his “self-deluded ambitions” is damaging the party.

“This has just frustrated loads of people,” said one source, who said the senator’s ambitions had put the party into “destructive mode”. Mr Ó Murchú denies causing damage to the party, saying he is exercising his democratic right.

Even the deputy leader, Éamon Ó Cuív, who threatened to resign over the issue last Thursday, is expected to tow the party line.

The handling of the presidency debacle has been the first major test of Mr Martin’s leadership.

While the debate will continue on the merits or otherwise of not contesting the election, at this stage he is engaged in damage limitation.