Mairead Maguire reports from Berlin

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said he doesn’t feel his leadership of Fianna Fáil is under threat “in any shape or form” over his handling of the fuel protests last week. 

Speaking to reporters in Berlin today after meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Martin said: “I do not, in any shape or form, feel under threat in that respect”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he doesn’t feel his leadership of Fianna Fáil is under threat “in any shape or form” following criticism of his handling of the fuel protests last week. https://t.co/7JVgOStUkW pic.twitter.com/Q7Yu4nGlnL

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His statement comes as the Fianna Fáil leader is coming under renewed pressure after a number of TDs in his party sent letters seeking meetings to discuss the direction of the party.

Following five days of fuel protests last week, the government survived a vote of no confidence earlier this week but lost the support of two independent TDs.

When asked by reporters about criticism over his handling of the fuel protests, Martin said: “Government was faced with a very significant dilemma last week in terms of vital critical infrastructure being blockaded.”

“We had an obligation to our people and to the state to make sure that those blockades on the volume refinery, in the middle of a supply crisis, would not stop refining, and we were warned it would come because of ceasing refining.”

“We had to lift the blockades,” he added.

“No one anticipated the nature and scale of the protests and blockades, and there are many genuine people involved, because they are under pressure.”

Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One today, Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers also said the recent disquiet within the party is “not at all” building up to a heave the Taoiseach.

He said there is “widespread support for Micheál Martin as leader and as Taoiseach of our country”.

Housing Minister James Browne also told reporters today that he has “absolute full confidence” in Martin, saying the Taoiseach “understands and empathises with the situation in this country”.

“These conversations always happen in parties and I think it’s a sign of a good, healthy party,” he said.

Higher Education Minister James Lawless, who has previously expressed interest in leading the party, said he still backs Martin, who “is doing his very best”.

He said “every single day is a school day”, the government can learn from recent events, and debate is “part of a healthy democracy”.

Lawless added that members will be free to express their opinions at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, which takes place next month.

Naoise Ó Cearúil, who is the party’s fourth youngest backbencher, distanced himself from the letters sent by his colleagues.

He said the party should reflect on the “frustration”, while communicating to the public that “there is a global crisis”.

With additional reporting from Sophie Finn and Andrew Walsh