Cork first-time TDs call for halt to leadership rumblings

Fianna Fáil Cork South West TD Christopher O'Sullivan and Cork East TD James O'Connor say now is not the time to discuss party leadership because of the scale of the Covid crisis

Cork East TD James O'Connor: 'We're now facing the largest spike in cases that we've had, so the idea of talking about a leadership contest is ridiculous.' Picture: Denis Minihane

A number of Fianna Fáil members are worried that an election next year could "ruin" the party, while others believe a change of leadership is needed before Micheál Martin's term as Taoiseach ends in December 2022.

However, two Cork TDs have said that now is not the time to discuss the party's leadership because of the scale of the Covid crisis.