Mary Lou McDonald’s position as Sinn Féin President is “absolutely not” in question following poor election results. 

Expected gains for the main opposition party failed to materialise and at a local level will finish behind Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. 

Speaking to journalists at the RDS in Dublin, Deputy McDonald conceded she was “disappointed” with the results but would stay on as leader for the General Election. 

“We've been on tens of thousands of doorsteps over the last number of weeks,” she said. 

“We listened carefully, we now need to reflect and learn from it - I'm sorry that we didn't do better, I know we can and I'm determined that we will do better." 

Mary Lou McDonald at the RDS. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

On Newstalk Breakfast today, Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said Ms McDonald's leadership was not under threat. 

“Absolutely not,” he said. 

“I think you will see in a General Election that Mary Lou McDonald will be outlining a very positive vision for the future of Ireland in terms of housing, in terms of health and in terms of a variety of different policies. 

“The point has been well made that local elections aren’t a predictor of general elections and I would agree with that. 

“But I think in a lot of areas we’ve made very important breakthroughs, we’ve some very capable councillors.” 

Staff examiner ballot papers for the Local and European elections in the RDS Dublin. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Deputy Ó Laoghaire said the party “would have liked to do better” over the weekend but added that he expected the party would do better in a General Election. 

“I think we have a very positive message and I would be expecting that we will do very well with renters and… people who are struggling with the housing crisis in the next general election,” he said. 

“But I would say, it does appear that those who are inclined not to vote for Government parties… largely voted for independent candidates. 

“At a local level, I think you can understand that, whereas at a national level I think you do know that independents very often vote with the Government.” 

An election must be held next year and both Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin have said they do not support an early poll.

Main image: Mary Lou McDonald speaks to media at the RDS. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie