FIANNA FÁIL BACKBENCHERS are “frustrated” at the party’s disastrous presidential election campaign and the “slow pace of delivery” on national issues, according to one of the party’s TDs. 

But Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne also said he doesn’t believe Micheál Martin will be ejected as the party’s leader in the short-term.

Byrne’s comments on Newstalk Breakfast this morning follow a long weekend of speculation and defence of the Taoiseach’s position from senior party members.

Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness and Senator Anne Rabbitte both criticised the party leader over the weekend, following the poor performance of Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin, who withdrew from the race earlier this month.

Gavin was backed by the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, with the former now facing questions over his leadership over his choice.

Ten of the required twelve signatures of members of the parliamentary party that would cause a motion of no confidence in Martin have been secured.

Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme on Sunday, McGuinness said Fianna Fáil needs a new leader “in the not too distant future”.

TD John Lahart joined McGuinness in criticising Martin for his handling of the presidential election, while MEP Billy Kelleher – who missed out on the party’s nomination after an internal contest against Gavin – called the situation “disastrous”.

However, Martin has allies in government, with Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien yesterday dismissing questions over his leadership.

He said that despite a “difficult” few weeks the “vast majority” of the parliamentary party are throughly behind Martin.

Malcolm Byrne said this morning: “Micheál Martin is an experienced politician. I think he’d have a reasonable idea himself as to when that time may be to go.”

He continued: “I think there are two issues and challenges for the party. I think the first one is the disastrous presidential election campaign that we had.

“I think there’s a bigger challenge, and I suppose I’m reflecting what I would see is the frustration of the middle ground within the party, around that sense of disconnect between the leadership and a lot of the back benches.

“I think the real challenge is the frustration that we’re feeling around the slow pace of delivery on issues like housing and infrastructure and disability services.”

Byrne said he is meeting the Taoiseach today and is confident he will listen to the concerns of backbenchers. He also emphasised that he believes Martin is a capable leader who can “win back the support of back benchers in the party”.

There is an internal review ongoing into the party’s handling of the selection process. The results are expected in two weeks’ time.

Despite fighting words, the wind may have gone from the sails of any would-be rebels. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan would be viewed as the most likely contender to replace Martin as leader, but he has yet to speak out.