'I like by-elections': Micheál Martin rules out early general election if TDs elected to Europe

When asked if he has ambitions to go to Brussels, Mr Martin said he has always indicated that he wants to lead his party into the next general election

Tánasite Micheál Martin has also strongly suggested that he will face down any request from Brussels to put forward a male and a female candidate to fill the role of Ireland's EU Commissioner. Photo: Damien Storan/PA

Tánasite Micheál Martin has ruled out going straight to a general election if a number TDs are elected to Europe, stating: "I like by-elections".

A number of sitting TDs including Fianna Fáil's Barry Cowen, Labour's Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Clare Independent Michael McNamara and Katheen Funchion of Sinn Féin could be elected in the coming days, leaving vacancies in the Dáil.