Ard fheis ideal chance for Martin to outline departure, say Fianna Fáil TDs

Taoiseach due to swap roles with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar later in 2022 as Fianna Fáil divided on party leadership issue

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to hand the position over to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in December as part of the agreement of the Coalition Government, midway through its term. File picture: Gareth Chaney

Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin will not be ousted but is expected to set out a timescale for his departure, with some of his TDs saying his ard fheis speech is the ideal occasion to do so.

Weekend reports quoting Kilkenny TD John McGuinness, who suggested Fianna Fáil deputies would not vote for Leo Varadkar to become taoiseach, have been dismissed by ministers and backbenchers.