Micheál Martin urged to clarify Fianna Fáil’s future by colleague John McGuinness

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has been urged to call an emergency national meeting to clarify the party’s future amid fears the confidence and supply deal is causing it to lose its identity.

Backbench TD and Oireachtas finance committee chairman John McGuinness demanded the move, despite senior colleagues insisting the potential move is not possible under the party’s own internal rules.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland programme after a weekend opinion poll saw Fianna Fáil slump to 21% public support, 13 percentage points behind Fine Gael, Carlow-Kilkenny TD Mr McGuinness said the confidence and supply deal with Fine Gael has handcuffed Fianna Fáil.