Micheál Martin will be leading Fianna Fáil “for years to come” according to junior minister Jack Chambers.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, the Dublin West TD said he is “fully supportive” of the Taoiseach, insisting he is “doing an excellent job”.
It comes after several party backbenchers called for Mr Martin to step down when the office of Taoiseach reverts to Fine Gael in December.
Carlow/Kilkenny TD John McGuinness told Newstalk party members should refuse to back Leo Varadkar in the position unless Mr Martin steps down as leader, while John Lahart said he expected to see Mr Martin step down of his own accord.
Meanwhile, former party TD Marc MacSharry said the next party leader should come from Dublin – naming Minister Chambers among the frontrunners for the role.
Leader
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Minister Chambers said the Taoiseach will be leading Fianna Fáil for years to come.
“I am fully supportive of our current leader Micheál Martin who is doing an excellent job,” he said.
“He is someone who has represented us, both here in Ireland also internationally, with esteem. He is someone who is providing incredible dedication and grit to the role of Taoiseach.
“Micheál Martin will be leading our party for years to come and that is the position.”
Support
He said Mr Martin retains “widespread support” within the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
“As whip within the party, I welcome constructive feedback on policy from members of our parliamentary party, but I think the centre ground of the party is very supportive of Micheál Martin as Taoiseach,” he said.
“His focus on responding to the cost-of-living challenges and reforming housing and health are the key areas we are anxious to conclude on.
“Politics is about delivering progress in key areas, not about internal matters. The vast majority of the parliamentary party are focused on delivering for our communities.”
Minister Chambers is this morning launching the new Sport for All funding plan, which will help sports clubs to pout disability-specific activities in place.
Any club in Ireland can apply to the €4m fund which aims to break down barriers to participation in sport.
