FIANNA FÁIL TDs rallied to party leader Micheál Martin’s defence last night as a senior party source said he had been left with “egg on his face” after broadcaster Gay Byrne declined to run for president.
Deputies Timmy Dooley, John McGuinness, Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Seán Fleming were among those who denied Mr Martin's leadership was damaged by the rejection of his offer that party Oireachtas members could facilitate the former Late, Late Showhost's nomination as an Independent.
However, a senior party source insisted Mr Martin had displayed “scant regard” for the parliamentary party and had been humiliated by Mr Byrne’s rejection of his offer. “Micheál Martin has egg all over his face,” the source said.
The source said MEP for Ireland South Brian Crowley, who wrote to colleagues last month declaring his interest in contesting the October election for the party, would make an “excellent” candidate. “Brian Crowley would do remarkably well and would be seen as a fightback for Fianna Fáil. He’s acted in a dignified way.”
Mr Crowley was not available for comment yesterday. Another party source said Mr Martin was “damaged, but not badly”.
Asked whether Mr Martin’s leadership had been damaged, Mr Dooley said: “Absolutely not. I think in a very upfront way he sought to establish where Gay Byrne was. Now it’s being suggested he should have done it in an underhand cloak-and-dagger way. That’s not the way he operates.”
Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness said of Mr Martin: “It’s not a crisis for his leadership or anything like that.”
However, he recommended that the sub-committee charged with deciding the party’s approach to the election should meet as soon as possible, “otherwise we are in this limbo area”.
Party whip Mr Ó Fearghaíl said he was determined that the committee would meet before the end of the month. He too rejected the suggestion Mr Martin’s leadership had been damaged. “It’s absolute nonsense to suggest that the leader is in any way damaged by this.”
The committee’s membership comprises Mr Martin, Éamon Ó Cuív, Dara Calleary, Timmy Dooley, Mr Ó Fearghaíl and Senator Darragh O’Brien. The majority of the committee does not favour running an internal candidate.
Mr Fleming said: “I personally don’t believe it has damaged Mr Martin”. Mr O’Brien agreed, saying Mr Martin had been “trying to be inclusive and reflect the views of people out there”. He added: “Our party needs to understand that we have a big job to do to rebuild and reorganise. My own view is the next big battle is the local and European elections.”
Mr Byrne yesterday told The Irish Timeshe was back at his holiday retreat in Donegal and had nothing more to add to previous statements.
Earlier he told RTÉ radio he did not have the “stomach” for a tilt at the presidency and accused the media of pestering him to make a decision over the last week. He said he would favour fellow broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh as a candidate, describing him as probably the most popular man in Ireland.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh told The Irish Timeshe would "consider" running for president. "I haven't up 'til now," he added.
