MICHEÁL MARTIN has said that he is confident he will become the eighth leader of Fianna Fáil later today when the party votes on who will succeed Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
Some 26 TDs have made public declarations for Mr Martin. He said he was satisfied from talks with colleagues that more than half the parliamentary party would back him when the vote is taken this afternoon. However, none of the three other candidates – Brian Lenihan, Mary Hanafin and Éamon Ó Cuív – was prepared to concede victory yesterday.
All pointed to the large number of TDs who have not made their views public – 33 in total – and one pointed to the “vagaries of the secret ballot”.
All four candidates addressed a meeting of the parliamentary party last night that was dedicated to the leadership “hustings”. All spoke for 15 to 20 minutes, each setting out how they will deal with the critical situation the party is in as it faces into the general election, as well as addressing the longer-term challenges facing the party. All accepted the party will be going into opposition for at least one Dáil term.
Sligo-North Leitrim TD Jimmy Devins rejoined yesterday, having resigned from the parliamentary party 18 months ago. His inclusion means 72 TDs are eligible to vote.
The meeting will begin at 2pm and the vote will be by secret ballot. As the system being used is proportional representation, the winner will require the support of half the party’s TDs plus one, or 37 votes. The result is expected by early afternoon.
Mr Martin consolidated his perceived advantage yesterday when his supporters said two other TDs – Peter Kelly and Mary Wallace – had declared publicly for him, bringing his total to 26. Mr Lenihan has six declared supporters; Mr Ó Cuív has four; while Ms Hanafin has three.
Mr Lenihan, perceived to be his nearest rival, said last night that not everybody who has declared for Mr Martin would actually vote for him.
“It’s like the college of cardinals in Rome choosing a new pope. It’s by secret ballot, many are genuinely undecided. Many TDs have made no public statement,” he told TG4.
Asked if criticism of his stance on the leadership last week by other TDs had damaged his prospects, he said that TDs understood that as Minister for Finance he had no choice other than to give support to Mr Cowen.
Ms Hanafin dismissed the idea that she might withdraw her name before the ballot, as part of a deal with Mr Martin whereby she would become deputy leader. “Why would I not stand? It’s very interesting that none of the other candidates were asked that question,” she said.
Mr Martin said that he did not want to be over-confident but had worked very hard and that the feedback was very positive. He said he would speak to some TDs this morning. “Some have not made up their minds,” he said.
Mr Ó Cuív said he would perform much better than predicted.