Micheál Martin: My head is not on the Fianna Fáil chopping block

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has insisted his head will not be “on the chopping block” if his party fails to win the upcoming Carlow-Kilkenny by-election.

Mr Martin rejected the suggestion he could lose his position, despite recent rumblings of discontent within the main opposition party over its poll standings and poor by-election record.

Speaking on Newstalk radio, he said “no it’s not” when asked if his “head will be on the chopping block” if Bobby Aylward fails to take the seat vacated by former environment minister Phil Hogan’s appointment as EU commissioner last year.