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TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN apologised to his party’s membership this evening for “how things turned out” with its presidential candidate at Fianna Fáil’s annual Cairde dinner in Dublin.
Martin has come under pressure internally after it emerged that Jim Gavin, his preferred presidential candidate, had not repaid a former tenant €3,300 in overpaid rent. Gavin subsequently withdrew from the presidential campaign.
His withdrawal means it’s near impossible for the party to reclaim its election expenses, which would require receiving at least 25% of the voting quota.
Numerous members of the party have come forward since Gavin’s withdrawal from the race and said Martin and his deputy, Jack Chambers, had pushed members of the parliamentary party to back Gavin over party stalwart Billy Kelleher.
Speaking this evening, Martin said he wished to acknowledge “a clear failure”. He told members that he was aware many of them were upset and disappointed at what had transpired.
“I want to acknowledge that and to say how deeply sorry I am, about how things turned out,” he said.
Micheal Martin addresses 1,000 party members in Dublin this evening:
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) October 11, 2025
‘I want to acknowledge that and to say how deeply sorry I am, about how things turned out.’
Applause breaks out when he mentions Jim Gavin and his family and the ‘traumatic time’ they’ve gone through. pic.twitter.com/0Jbduzcb3s
During a grueling five-hour parliamentary party meeting in Leinster House this week, the Fianna Fáil leader apologised for the handling of the presidential election process in light of the spectacular fashion in which Jim Gavin exited the race.
Martin told colleagues he was “devastated” by what has happened and that he is open to suggestions on how the presidential selection process can be changed for the future.
Today, he told members, “I for one support the idea that we move to a process which is in tune with the wider reforms which we have introduced in the past.”
The party leader said Jim Gavin and his family have gone through “a very traumatic time”. He briefly highlighted Gavin’s contributions as a public servant and said he is “hugely respected”.
Martin thanked the members for their support and said it was a great privilege to be president of the party.
Speaking to reporters prior to this evening’s dinner, he said he “always reflect on criticisms”.
While there had been reports that the future leadership of the party was raised at this week’s parliamentary party, Martin told The Journal that planning was not raised at the meeting.
While he said he will consistently work at improving methods of communication, he said:
“I have a mandate to lead the government. And I would say that Fianna Fáil exists not for ourselves. We exist for the people of Ireland. I’m not in politics because of myself or the office I hold .
“I’ve always been in politics to see can I improve things. Do things to make a difference to the quality of life of people You don’t get all decisions right. And that remains my motivation. And I’m still as hungry as ever,” he said.
He said there are very big issues in this country, such as housing, disabilities and child poverty, maintaining the enterprise economy.
Asked about what he made about Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan’s comments that he would have leadership ambitions for the party in the future, Martin said “there is nothing wrong with ambition, at all”.
He said O’Callaghan is proving to be a very competent and effective minister, adding that all of the Cabinet ministers are performing well right now.
When asked about what might change in the future when it comes to nominating a Fianna Fáil candidate for the presidential election in the future, Martin said that he was the leader who brought in one person one vote. While he wouldn’t speculate on any change, he said he is open to a new system.
In terms of communications with his fellow party members, he said being in government “can be fairly hectic and all-consuming, and that can narrow the time available to consult”.
“I think perhaps the budget was a bit early this year, coming out of the summer recess, and that may have been a factor in terms of having the capacity and facility to discuss it more with members of the party,” he said.
Speaking about Palestine this evening, Martin said:
“It’s important to say that because Sinn Fein and the far left constantly attack us and accuse of being complicit in what has happened during the appalling attacks by the Israeli government on the people of Gaza.
Martin said he was speaking about Sinn Féin, presidential candidate Catherine Connolly and People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy in his speech when he said there are “many who want to roll back its powers or to stop it helping countries faced with urgent threats”.
“Unfortunately these anti-EU sentiments are often found here. Of course these people always pretend that they are not anti-EU, but their demands expose the reality of their beliefs. In the critical next few years Fianna Fáil’s position will be that we stand in solidarity with other European democracies,” he said.
Martin told reporters that “all of those are very anti-EU”, stating that it is their first reflex in relation to defence and trade.
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