Micheál Martin says speculation over leaderships plans are ‘rubbish’

Micheál Martin has attempted to play down speculation about his plans to lead Fianna Fáil into the next election, describing reports that he has changed his stance as “rubbish”.

Mr Martin said that he would “fulfil his mandate” as Taoiseach, sparking questions about his leaderships plans.

The Taoiseach was asked to clarify his intentions at the informal meeting of EU leaders in Dublin on Friday, after his less-than-definitive answer about his future role in the party.

Asked if he was sending a signal that he is stepping away as leader, he said: “I think that’s rubbish. I sent no signal.

“You’ve heard that talk about fulfilling mandates and I will be contesting the next general election, and we’ll be leading Fianna Fáil into that election.”

The speculation began after Mr Martin, during a radio interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland on Thursday, was asked if he would be leading the party into the next general election.

Mr Martin said that he would be “leading Fianna Fáil in the coming years and so on”.

When pressed further, Mr Martin replied that it was a “good few years yet”.

Question marks have been hanging over the Cork TD’s leadership plans for some years.

He faced harsh criticism over his handling of the Irish presidential election, after the party’s candidate, Jim Gavin, withdrew from the election.