Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s leadership is “not in question” despite the party’s significant by-election losses in Dublin Central and Galway West, Energy Minister Darragh O’Brien has said.
Speaking to reporters alongside Fianna Fáil councillor John Stephens at the RDS count centre after the party’s poor performance in Dublin Central and Galway West, the Fianna Fáil Minister insisted that Martin’s position remained secure, saying that “it’s now that we need the leadership that Micheál Martin displays more than ever.”
O’Brien was asked whether Martin’s leadership was under threat after Fianna Fáil suffered heavy setbacks in both by-elections, with tallies indicating historically poor performances for the party in the constituencies.
With a smirk O’Brien noted that “not a week goes by” that he is not asked about Martin’s leadership.
“Since after the 2020 General Election, I was asked that,” he said.
“I said he’d lead us into the next general election, and he did. He did and he returned as Taoiseach with the largest party in Dáil Éireann.”
O’Brien also acknowledged that it was a “very difficult time” for people amid ongoing cost of living pressures, saying this was where the Government’s focus needed to remain.
“It’s now that we need the leadership that Micheál Martin displays more than ever,” he continued.
He specifically pointed to what he described as “progress” on issues such as housing and the economy.
Asked whether he personally wanted to become Fianna Fáil leader in the future, O’Brien said he did not “deal with hypotheticals”, adding that his focus was on delivering for constituents and implementing the programme for Government.
“Micheál Martin’s leadership is not in question,” he said.
“It’s as simple as that.”
The Minister added that the Government still had “three and a half years” left in its term to “deliver” on issues including housing and the cost of living.
O’Brien also addressed Fianna Fáil’s performance in Dublin Central, noting that the party “hadn’t won a Dáil seat here since 2007″ and that it was always going to be an uphill battle.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil councillor John Stephens rejected suggestions that comments made by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on immigration during the campaign had damaged his electoral prospects.
“No it didn’t,” Stephens said, when asked if the remarks had hindered his campaign.
The councillor said that “the wind was against me”, but insisted that he intended to contest the constituency again at the next general election.
“I know what it’ll take – hard work and grit,” he said.
“But I’m prepared to do that. So let’s have this conversation in 3 years’ time.”
As reported by Gript earlier today, tallies indicate that Fianna Fáil is on course for its worst ever result in both Dublin Central and Galway West.
In Dublin Central, with the full tally reported by Ireland Votes, Stephens was estimated to be on 4.1% of first preference votes, below the party’s previous low of 7.2% in the 2024 General Election.
In Galway West, Fianna Fáil councillor Cillian Keane was estimated to be on 8.9% with the full tallies counted, also below the party’s previous worst result in the constituency of 16.8%.
Senior Fianna Fáil figures had previously suggested that securing the seats would be difficult, with Higher Education Minister James Lawless saying in April that by-elections were “tough” for governing parties.
“I’d be delighted if we do [win],” Lawless said at the time.
“I won’t be shocked if we don’t.”