'The baton must pass on now': New call for Micheál Martin to step down 

Kilkenny TD John McGuinness is the latest Fianna Fáil TD to call for a new party leader, saying the baton “must pass on now”. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

John McGuinness has become the latest Fianna Fáil TD to call for a new party leader, saying the "baton must pass on now”.

A letter sent by Mr McGuinness to Government Chief Whip Jack Chambers — the contents of which were revealed just hours after Micheál Martin called for unity in the party — said Fianna Fáil is now suffering from the consequences of an “aggressive and contemptuous culture”.

Mr McGuinness, a long-time critic of Mr Martin, wrote: “Over the last 18 months we have seen more missteps and stumbles than the judges in Strictly Come Dancing, at least one caused by the Taoiseach allowing Fianna Fáil to be used as a doormat that Simon Coveney and Katherine Zappone slid across the floor on.

“Mad stuff altogether, but it has seen our support dropping like a stone while we bend like a daisy in a storm every time Fine Gael sighs, which they do a lot."

Mr McGuinness said Fianna Fáil is being made to look weak and marginalised.

“Hissy fits don’t do when backbone is needed,” he added.

He said the remains of those who built Fianna Fáil must be turning in graveyards at the state the party is in.

Mr McGuinness said he is not a lone voice, claiming there are growing concerns about the way the party is being managed and the poor election results. 

“We have to mobilise our organisation at all levels, particularly Ogra Fianna Fáil, to rebuild better faster. We can’t wait. We have to put the past behind us and look to a better future under a new leader. Our members throughout the country are demanding it and the future of the party depends on it. The baton has to pass now,” he said.

Earlier, Micheál Martin insisted that he intended to remain as leader despite internal opposition.

Speaking at the party's think-in at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan, which Mr McGuinness did not attend, Mr Martin said: "I've been a member of parliament for many, many years. I have rarely ever seen unanimity on many issues, including who leads the party. So that's not news. And my challenge is to hear people, my job is to listen.

"And I think what's important coming out of this meeting is that the party unites."