Micheál Martin addresses Fianna Fáil over deputy leader issue

The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting last week heard calls to appoint a deputy leader, while Tánaiste Micheál Martin was out of the country. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has addressed his own party members for going behind his back on the deputy leader issue.

Last week, the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting heard calls to appoint a deputy leader, while Tánaiste Micheál Martin was out of the country.

When the issue was again raised at this week's meeting by Senator Malcom Byrne, Mr Martin pointedly said that he should have been consulted directly on the matter.

While Mr Byrne stressed that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign and Affairs and Defence has been doing an excellent job, he said there is a need within the party to support him, especially in relation to the medium and long-term development.

But Mr Martin said the party appointed Jack Chambers as director of local elections and Minister Darragh O'Brien appointed to coordinate the European elections.

The Tánaiste insisted that good progress is being made on selecting candidates for the local elections next year and this work will continue.

The meeting also discussed the need to appoint a director of elections for the general election, with Senator Catherine Ardagh stressing the need for a female in this position.

Meanwhile, at tonight’s Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the ongoing RTÉ controversy was very damaging for the organisation.

He said the vast majority of people who work in RTÉ do valuable work and had no knowledge of the secret payments to Ryan Tubridy.

The Fine Gael leader told colleagues the country needs a public service broadcaster and that's why change and accountability from RTÉ are so important.

Following contributions last week from TDs and Senators in relation to the upcoming Budget, Mr Varadkar said income tax will be reduced in the October announcement.

He said lower taxes aren't just about putting money in people's pockets, but to ensure Ireland is a more attractive place to work.

He said pensions will be increased, small landlords will be helped to stay in the housing market and he agreed with the view that using some of the surplus to reduce the national debt makes sense.

The Fine Gael leader also welcomed that 3,000 first-time buyers received mortgage approval in May. 

This is the highest level since 2011 and showed the Government policies on home ownership are starting to work.