Martin ‘not phased’ by static polls

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has insisted he is "not phased" by polls showing his party failing to close the gap on the Government, and has rejected claims he will have to consider his own position if he cannot secure one of two imminent Dáil by-election seats.

The latest Red C poll at the weekend showed that, despite a surge forward in May’s local elections, Fianna Fáil’s overall popularity is static on 18%.

The situation means the party trails Fine Gael on 28% (up 3%), Sinn Féin on 23% (up 1%) and a cluster of Independents /Others on 23% (down 5%).

However, despite suggestions the results show the party is listless and former education minister Mary Hanafin last week claiming its frontbench is anonymous, Mr Martin insisted there is no need for alarm.

“Our real poll was in May and, as I said, I think we did very well in that poll, so we’re not phased. We’ve come out of a very successful local election where we had the most votes and most seats of any party in the country,” the Fianna Fáil leader said.

When asked if he will have to consider his position if the opposition party is unable to take either seat in the upcoming Dáil by-elections for Roscommon-South Leitrim and Dublin South West, Mr Martin replied: “No I will not. We’re competing in these by-elections, they’re going to be very challenging for us considering where we’re coming from, but we’re taking nothing for granted.”

Despite the clear position on the party’s future and his own position, Mr Martin was less forthcoming on which party Fianna Fáil may go into coalition with should they be in a position to do so after the next general election.

Based on the latest opinion polls, the only options open to Fianna Fáil is to enter some form of coalition with either Fine Gael or Sinn Féin — with both possibilities opening up potential problems for the party.

While stating Fianna Fáil “wants to contribute in Government after the next general election”, he said the fact Fine Gael has become “a very regressive and very right-wing” party means it would not be a “comfortable bed fellow”.

He also downplayed the possibility of a future coalition with Sinn Féin.