Micheál Martin rules out European president role

Tánaiste says his 'ambition and commitment is to lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election'

Tánaiste Micheál Martin with Laura González Hernández, minister for economic development, Mexico.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has ruled out any aspirations to take over as European Council president, following the surprise resignation of Charles Michel earlier this week.

Speaking to reporters in Mexico City, Mr Martin said that he did not see himself becoming a potential nominee for the top European job.

"I don't see that arising, I mean, I think that situation doesn't arise," Mr Martin said.

"I've made it very clear my ambition and commitment is to lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election.

"First of all, however, we have to focus on the next 12 months in terms of government. I want the government to go to full term. That's my view. And I've said that repeatedly."

Asked directly if he was ruling himself out of the job, Mr Martin said that he was and said his plan to run in the next general election "clearly indicates where I'm going".

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, meanwhile, speaking at the IFA AGM, said that while he was "flattered" to be mentioned as one of the potential replacements for Mr Michel, he had no intention of going for the role.

Mr Varadkar said that he expects current European Commission president, Ursula Von Der Leyen, to be reappointed at the start of the next term.

He said that this would mean that any council president would need to come from a different European political grouping, ruling out the Taoiseach.

This is due to Fine Gael's membership of the European People's Party, where Ms Von Der Leyen was selected.

Mr Martin also spoke about plans to change welfare arrangements for Ukrainian refugees, saying it is not the case that initial benefits were too generous.

"I mean, the war is much longer now than then would have been anticipated at the beginning but I think it's more keeping in line with what's happening across Europe," Mr Martin said.

"No one can argue, but that Ireland has more than responded per capita to the Ukrainian situation in terms of facilitating so many refugees coming into the country.

"Across Europe, there are different levels of payments and social provision and I think this is more to keep ourselves aligned to what the rest of Europe is doing."

Under the changes, Ukrainian refugees will only be able to receive €38.80 in social welfare supports per week, cut down from €232 a week.

The legislation was brought to Cabinet on Tuesday by Social Welfare Minister Heather Humphreys.

Alongside the changes to social welfare, state accommodation for Ukrainian refugees will be limited to 90 days.

Mr Martin was speaking following a meeting with the Mexican foreign minister Alicia Bárcena, where the two discussed issues including Irish-Mexican relations as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and migration.

Micheál Martin in Mexico.

On Gaza, Mr Martin said that they both expressed "real alarm" at the potential regional escalation of the Israel-Hamas war.

"I think that we both expressed real alarm at the prospect of regional escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, particularly following the killing of Hezbollah commander in Lebanon," Mr Martin said.

"Foreign minister Bárcena was particularly concerned about any escalation into Lebanon, Syria, and further afield and I think that is exercising a lot of people's minds internationally.

"There's an absolute need for humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza," Mr Martin added.

On asylum seekers, the Tánaiste said that the two spoke about the need to deal with the causes of migration.

Mr Martin said that Ms Bárcena raised the need to develop the economies of countries in Central America to help stop people needed to leave their home country.