Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis: Best Micheál Martin can hope for? There’s simply nobody else

It was the elephant in the ard fheis room and it took less than 10 minutes to come trundling into view. But if grassroots Fianna Fáil voters are to be believed, it is unlikely to stamp the party’s leader into the ground just yet.

Mon, 27 Apr, 2015 - 01:00

Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Minutes into the first media engagement to launch the party’s annual conference at the RDS in Dublin, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was asked about the recent criticism of his time in charge.

Responding to the suggestion that this last ard fheis before the general election will also be his final one at the top table, the Cork South Central TD replied sharply “absolutely not”, then paused, laughed, and told one reporter that it was “very cheeky”.

Mr Martin insists he is not facing any heave in the near future and believes that recent, repeated leaks about internal concerns on where the party is going have been overplayed. However, this would appear to jar with the views of a number of Fianna Fáil’s TDs and senators.

Asked if this last ard fheis before general election will be his last, Martin says "certainly not", laughs, then says "very cheeky". #ff15
— Fiachra Ó Cionnaith 😊 (@Ocionnaith) April 24, 2015

While similar concerns exist among ordinary members — who, due to a motion supported by Mr Martin, now account for 45% of the votes in any future leadership contest — any grassroots hunger for change is dampened by realism.

Micheál Martin chats to Dick Tierney and Padraigín Uí Riordain, from Co Cork. Picture: Sam Boal

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, more than 20 delegates and councillors said while they are not pleased with the “hovering” nature of poll support, there is no point in changing leader just yet.

While some concern was raised over his links to the boom-time cabinet and there is debate that he may not have the mettle to properly put down criticism, the majority ultimately believe there is simply no other viable candidate capable of making a sustained run for office.

“You can see he’s in some danger, the younger generation in Fianna Fáil want to jettison him to get away from the crash, but is there any young leader there to take up the mantle? I can’t see one,” said Noel Maguire, a lifelong party voter from Dundrum in Dublin.

“Michael McGrath is absolutely great with figures but I don’t know about a leader. The man I’d like is Barry Cowen; he has fire in his belly, knows the issues, but I doubt he’s going to be able to do it because of the baggage with his brother,” Mr Maguire said, dismissing the other alternatives.

Annie Keegan and Cork City councillor Tony Fitzgerald at the Ard Fheis

Gerry Finnerty, a Gort-based member of Galway County Council, admitted there was “frustration” among the party faithful about the apparent lack of progress. However, he said: “Micheál’s doing as good a job as he can do [given] limited resources.

“We have 22 TDs, we’re marking a Government with the biggest majority in the history of the State — what can you expect him to do?”

There is some dissension, with Laois County Council member Seamus McDonnell — a councillor for 30 years — issuing a warning that Mr Martin will face “a change unless he’s fit to do something fairly quickly”. He said Mr Martin “doesn’t seem to be strong enough, he isn’t putting his message out well”, and he is failing to stamp out criticism before it catches fire.

However, among younger voters such as Jessica Ní Mhaolain from Douglas in Cork, there is no push for a fresher face. “Every time there’s a bank holiday, Micheál’s being ousted as leader, but that’s not confined to Fianna Fáil. Look at what happened with Richard Bruton and Enda Kenny. Micheál’s very open, he listens to people, and I don’t think anyone else at the moment is capable of being party leader,” she said.

Speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday, Mr Martin insisted he is not in danger of being “too nice” when it comes to tackling criticism, saying “people who know me know I can get tough when I need to on the substantive issues”.

Asked if the recent leadership furore would have happened under Charlie Haughey, he said he “reacts in the best interests of the party”.

For now, most ordinary members appear to feel that “best interest” is served by him staying in control. But this support is one borne out of necessity and a belief that no alternative leader exists, rather than a ringing endorsement of his time in charge. Or, for that matter, of those allegedly waiting to take his place.