'I will lead Fianna Fáil into next elections,' Micheál Martin insists.

Several TDs suggested that the mood of the so-called 'middle ground' of the party had shifted, adding that more people would be willing to back a motion of confidence

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026 - 15:51

Louise Burne

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has denied that his leadership of Fianna Fáil was ever in jeopardy last week, once again insisting he will lead the party into the next set of elections.

Rumours of a heave grew last week amid ongoing frustration with Mr Martin’s leadership of the party.

Several TDs suggested that the mood of the so-called “middle ground” of the party had shifted, adding that more people would be willing to back a motion of confidence.

Fianna Fáil’s three youngest TDs — James O’Connor, Ryan O’Meara, and Albert Dolan — also published a statement warning that the party’s “social contract” with people of their generation was “strained”.

While Mr O’Connor has been a vocal critic of the Taoiseach, the inclusion of Mr O’Meara and Mr Dolan in the statement was seen as indicative of a shift amongst TDs.

However, the possibility of a heave fell flat after no successor put their hand up and all senior ministers came out to back the Taoiseach.

'Challenging week'

Speaking at the Fianna Fáil 1916 commemoration at Arbour Hill, Dublin, the Taoiseach denied that his position was ever at risk.

“I haven't seen off anything because there wasn't anything to see off, to be honest, in the last week,” Mr Martin said.

“It's been a challenging week, obviously, for many, many people. I was in Mullingar on Friday night, close to 400 grassroots members of the party [were at] our centenary event.

“There was a very, very warm, positive reception from the grassroots of the party. Anybody who knows me, any members of the parliamentary party, know that I've knocked on doors with them on streets.

“I have to be very strongly assertive on this point. I've been elected in many elections. I'm very connected to people. I'm on the ground almost permanently on a seven-day-a-week basis, and I will continue to engage with my parliamentary party.”

Mr Martin said that he will seek ways to “broaden and structure engagement and consultation better” with Fianna Fáil, but he argued that the membership of the party is “very supportive”.

Veteran Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea wrote in a Sunday Independent column that he had “never seen the party in a deeper state of despair than this week”.

The Taoiseach said he disagreed with the Limerick TD, arguing that he had been “through 2011” — when the party was decimated in a general election.

He added: “I've a fair idea of tough times, and this is nowhere comparable to that.”

Positive and negative commentary

Mr Martin said that he welcomed commentary from members of the party, acknowledging that this can be both positive and negative.

He suggested that nobody could accuse him or the party of “suppressing opinion within the parliamentary party”.

He also argued that he was “elected” as leader of Fianna Fáil, adding that he was not “appointed” like in other parties.

“I will fulfil my mandate, and I will lead into the next set of elections,” the Taoiseach said.

The Taoiseach also denied suggestions from Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins at his party’s conference in Galway this weekend that Fianna Fáil councillors were “pleading” to join the party.

The Taoiseach said: “I think you wouldn't have to beg Michael too long now to get a new member [of Independent Ireland]. But look, we have no evidence of that.”