Martin: FF will never again be let down by low standards

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has promised "swift and comprehensive" action against anyone named in the Mahon Tribunal report as having abused their position in office.

Opening his first ard fheis as party leader tonight, Deputy Martin said party supporters will never again be let down by low standards.

In his first major speech to the party faithful, he said he understands the anger of members of the party when Fianna Fáil is brought into disrepute by people's personal behaviour.

“But let’s not forget that this party still has great strengths and the most important is that we have tens of thousands of members who are proud to call themselves Fianna Fáil,” Deputy Martin said.

He also said he is determined that those who belong to and support Fianna Fáil will never again be let down by low standards.

Deputy Martin is promising the strongest ethics rules in Irish politics and said anyone who wants to stand for Fianna Fáil in an election will have to go through a new level of transparency.

And he says when the final report of the Mahon Tribunal is published the party will act “without fear or favour” against anyone who is shown to have abused their position in Fianna Fáil or elected office.

The 73rd Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis got underway at the RDS in Dublin this evening after a week of turmoil for the party which saw Éamon Ó Cuiv step down as deputy leader and communications spokesman.

The Galway West TD refused to toe the party line and hinted that he would vote against Ireland ratifying the EU fiscal compact, hours after Deputy Martin said the party would campaign for a Yes vote.

Deputy Ó Cuiv said the party should have taken its time to consider its pro-Europe stance and that Ireland should seek a write-down of its debts.

Deputy Martin is understood to be considering abolishing the deputy leader position within Fianna Fáil, although Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness has said he is interested in the job.