Taoiseach Michéal Martin and Presidential candidate Jim Gavin at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan. \ Donal O' Leary
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Micheál Martin’s leadership of Fianna Fáil is facing unprecedented pressure following Jim Gavin’s withdrawal from the Irish presidential race.
Martin expended significant political capital ensuring that Gavin would be his party’s nominee. He first secured the support of most of Fianna Fáil’s Dublin TDs and senators, effectively blocking Bertie Ahern’s nomination route.
Then, when Cork-based MEP Billy Kelleher emerged from within the parliamentary party as a candidate, Martin’s influence on behalf of Gavin proved decisive.
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At Wednesday evening’s parliamentary party meeting, those sympathetic to both Kelleher and Ahern were expected to seek answers from Martin and his chief lieutenant, Jack Chambers, as to how things went so wrong so quickly.
Expect to hear of Billy Kelleher and fellow MEPs, Barry Cowen and Barry Andrews, being prominent in the proceedings. But Martin, having inherited a party facing annihilation, has been party leader for 15 years, painstakingly overseeing a rebuild.
Fianna Fáil is now the largest party in the Dail and in local authorities. His political bank account is probably still in credit.
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Micheál Martin’s leadership of Fianna Fáil is facing unprecedented pressure following Jim Gavin’s withdrawal from the Irish presidential race.
Martin expended significant political capital ensuring that Gavin would be his party’s nominee. He first secured the support of most of Fianna Fáil’s Dublin TDs and senators, effectively blocking Bertie Ahern’s nomination route.
Then, when Cork-based MEP Billy Kelleher emerged from within the parliamentary party as a candidate, Martin’s influence on behalf of Gavin proved decisive.
At Wednesday evening’s parliamentary party meeting, those sympathetic to both Kelleher and Ahern were expected to seek answers from Martin and his chief lieutenant, Jack Chambers, as to how things went so wrong so quickly.
Expect to hear of Billy Kelleher and fellow MEPs, Barry Cowen and Barry Andrews, being prominent in the proceedings. But Martin, having inherited a party facing annihilation, has been party leader for 15 years, painstakingly overseeing a rebuild.
Fianna Fáil is now the largest party in the Dail and in local authorities. His political bank account is probably still in credit.
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