Fianna Fáil unrest grows as Taoiseach admits party mishandled presidential race

Taoiseach admits Fianna Fáil’s presidential campaign fell short and says he learned too late of Billy Kelleher’s interest in running

Micheál Martin with Jim Gavin. Picture: Damien Eagers Photography 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said Cork MEP Billy Kelleher could “in hindsight” have been a stronger presidential candidate than Jim Gavin.

“I would have much preferred if Billy had come to me much earlier and, in hindsight, he could have been a stronger candidate,” Mr Martin said.

The Taoiseach said he had not known Mr Kelleher was interested in running for the presidency until August 26.

"I would have preferred if he had rung me to say ‘I’m interested’, and that did not happen," Mr Martin said.

Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly won the election to become Ireland’s 10th president, after Fianna Fáil’s candidate, Mr Gavin, withdrew from the race three weeks before polling day.

Mr Martin, who had championed Mr Gavin, apologised to his party for the way its presidential campaign played out.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, the Taoiseach also rejected claims that he was a top-down leader, describing the suggestion as “repugnant” and saying it has “never been my style.”

He denied placing “extensive pressure” on TDs and senators in the party to back Mr Gavin as the Fianna Fáil candidate.

“No one had come forward prior to about late August from within the parliamentary party and put the hand up and said they wanted to be candidate,” Mr Martin said.

Right throughout May, June and July, we didn’t have a candidate from within the parliamentary party.

Mr Martin said “no one gets it right all the time,” but added that he had accepted responsibility for the campaign. His comments come amid discontent on the Fianna Fáil backbenches following the party’s disastrous presidential bid.

Some TDs have privately suggested the possibility of a no-confidence motion in Mr Martin, with the signatures of 12 TDs required to initiate it.

Asked about the prospect of a no-confidence motion in his leadership, Mr Martin said he had “no idea" where that is at.

Mr Martin reiterated his criticism of Cork East TD James O’Connor, first made in an exclusive interview with the Irish Examiner, after Mr O’Connor compared the Fianna Fáil leader to Louis XIV over the weekend.

“I don’t think James should have made that comment. I don’t think it reflects Micheál Martin, it doesn’t reflect me as a person. Those kinds of hurtful comments are unacceptable in my view. I’m not that kind of person.”

Mr Martin said he was “a phone call away” from any TD or senator.

The Taoiseach said he believed the result of the presidential election had been a “catalyst” for some, but that he had also received strong support from others in the parliamentary party.

Questioned about a list of possible rebels reportedly circulated to journalists, Mr Martin denied that any such list came from within the Taoiseach’s office.

“Absolutely not, absolutely not. No one in my team or anyone working with me has anything to do with lists. People working in the Taoiseach’s office are working on policy, they’re working on issues. That’s it, I’m not into that,” Mr Martin said.

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There was renewed anger within the party after reports of the list, which members branded “petty” and “weak.”

On the possible candidacy of Bertie Ahern, Mr Martin said he believed such a campaign would have raised issues surrounding the Mahon Tribunal.

“I don’t know why he would have brought that upon himself,” Mr Martin said, adding that he did not detect a “groundswell” of support for Mr Ahern to be the candidate.

On Bob Geldof, Mr Martin said: “Bob came very late.”