Former minister for foreign affairs Micheál Martin said today he remains committed to contesting the Fianna Fáil party leadership if a vacancy arises.
Mr Martin, who resigned last night after the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party passed a confidence motion in Taoiseach Brian Cowen, said his focus will turn to local issues as he concentrates on his constituency in the run up to the election.
The Cork South Central TD said he felt he had to take a stand to stop the "decimation" of the party at the next election, which he predicted would be held in March.
"Many of us felt, if nothing changes, this is what would happen the party and that has consequences for the next Dáil," he said in an interview with Cork's 96FM. "I genuinely believe a strong presence in the next Dail is important to support implementation of policy that will make a difference to people in terms of employment and getting us back on the road to recovery.
Mr Martin said the Taoiseach's performance had been inconsistent in the past. "He can be extremely effective on occasions but there is maybe a lack of consistency and application in that," he said.
He said the leadership issue is now resolved, but he reiterated his interest in leading the party in the future.
"As far as I'm concerned the situation is resolved but if a vacancy arises in the party in the future then yes, I will contest it for the leadership," he said.