Politics

Martin’s momentum: the future of FF and the leader who has defied the rebels’ predictions

Fianna Fáil members are thinking about new leadership for the next election and potential off-ramps for Micheál Martin, but it’s hard to agitate against someone as personally popular as the current leader

Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader: his party believes that Martin’s strong performance in party leaders’ personal ratings in opinion polls reflects his popularity with the public. Picture: Getty

The Dáil bar is often a place of refuge for TDs who find themselves hanging around late on Wednesday nights for a series of votes. Since last December, Fianna Fáil backbenchers have noticed that there have been more appearances at this particular time by two potential future party leaders.

“On a Wednesday evening, you will consistently see Darragh O’Brien and Michael McGrath in the Dáil bar mixing with Fianna Fáil TDs and senators. That tells ...