Pressure on Micheál Martin as three of Fianna Fáil’s youngest TDs issue warning shot

Further three senior members have requested an 'urgent meeting of the parliamentary party'

One backbencher described the mood in the party over Micheál Martin’s leadership as having 'shifted', with TDs who previously would not have spoken up now doing so. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins 

Further pressure has been piled on Taoiseach Micheál Martin as three of Fianna Fáil’s youngest TDs issued a warning shot about the direction of the party, and a further three members demanded a showdown meeting of TDs and senators.

The Irish Examiner has been told by TDs and senators that there is “more appetite than ever” for a change of Fianna Fáil leadership, though none were willing to put a date on when a heave could be organised, other than that it could happen quickly if a successor were to put their hand up.

A letter signed by James O’Connor, Albert Dolan, and Ryan O’Meara has caused significant anger in some quarters of Fianna Fáil, as it was branded a “solo run” and “premature” by colleagues within the party.

Despite this, senior Fianna Fáil TDs Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Pádraig O’Sullivan, and senator Anne Rabbitte said that following the letter, they were requesting an “urgent meeting of the parliamentary party”.

They said Fianna Fáil needs to discuss the party’s current standing, “the causes of our difficulties”, and the “leadership initiatives required to move our party forward and restore public trust and confidence in our great party organisation”.

The Irish Examiner understands that there has been a “swell” in the number of TDs who are willing to support a change in leadership. 

Several sources said this number could be as high as 18 or 20.

Mr O’Connor, a Cork East TD, Mr Dolan, and Mr O’Meara, who are in their 20s and early 30s, issued their letter on Wednesday, warning that their generation sees “no connection between what happens at the ballot box and what follows in Government”.

“Too often today, we find senior colleagues expect us to explain government difficulties to communities,” they wrote. 

“That is not the role we want, nor will we accept it any longer.”

Limerick City TD Willie O’Dea said the party leadership had learned no lessons from the Jim Gavin debacle, adding there now needs to be a “conversation about everything”.

He called for an internal review of the party to be conducted by the parliamentary party, saying it should not be done by “so-called experts”.

“Nobody knows what we stand for anymore,” Mr O’Dea said, describing a “malaise” within Fianna Fáil.

He hit out at Fianna Fáil ministers, saying some “find themselves too important to deal with mere backbenchers”.

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However, there was also significant anger amongst others in the party about the statement issued by the three young TDs.

Some criticised it as “a solo run” which had not been asked for or authorised by any potential future leader.

One TD said: “It shows huge immaturity and a lack of political savvy.”

It was suggested that the numbers to oust the Taoiseach are there, and it could “happen today or tomorrow if we were given the go-ahead”.

Another said the signatures could be “collected within an hour”.

“I would be surprised if there wasn’t a motion of no confidence,” one longstanding TD said.

Party sources said there are now considered to be two clear candidates to challenge Mr Martin’s leadership when the time comes — social protection minister Dara Calleary and justice minister Jim O’Callaghan.

However, sources said that neither had made any phone calls or moves this week.

It is also understood that higher education minister James Lawless could be interested in contesting a leadership competition, while others believe Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers and energy minister Darragh O’Brien would also be in contention.

One backbencher described the mood in the party over Mr Martin’s leadership as having “shifted”, with TDs who previously would not have spoken up now doing so.

However, they questioned if there would be any move imminently against the Taoiseach, citing the upcoming by-elections as a possible flashpoint.

The party’s ard fheis is scheduled to take place in Dublin within the next month.

One senior Fianna Fáil TD warned the frustration within the parliamentary party over Mr Martin’s handling of the fuel protests had led to “palpable anger and frustration”.

“He’d want to be a magician to survive this one,” the TD said.