FIANNA FÁIL IS bracing itself for a delay in delivering its internal review into its approach to the presidential election.

It was set out last month that the party would carry out a review into its chaotic presidential campaign following the shock departure of candidate Jim Gavin.

In a short statement today, the party said: “The independent review is ongoing and while the aim for publication was 12 November, the chairman and committee members need to conduct an independent and fair process and this may take longer than originally planned.

“It is most important that this review is independent as agreed by the parliamentary party.”

Fianna Fáil’s admission follows reports that some TDs in the party were growing increasingly sceptical that the review would be ready by Wednesday as previously set out, and were growing concerned it would be pushed out closer to Christmas.

Party leader Micheál Martin had agreed to an external legal expert and three parliamentary party members, Tom Brabazon, Eamon Salon, and Margaret Murphy O’Connor, to conduct the review, following mounting pressure.

Speaking from Brazil on Friday, where Martin was attending COP30, Martin said he was confident the review was “on track” to be delivered on Wednesday.

One TD told The Journal that it was their understanding there wasn’t a “hope in hell” the review would be delivered on time and “if it’s delayed, there will be a row and if it’s produced, it will be gone through with a fine tooth comb”.

The Journal was told by a party TD that it was their understanding Martin has yet to be interviewed for the review.

A number of TDs spoke of this party debacle being a symptom of wider frustrations within the party of late, speaking about government inaction, which they said backbench TDs have to explain to their constituents.