A Clare Fianna Fáil Councillor feels the party may want a change of direction when Micheál Martin steps down as Taoiseach at the end of the year.
It follows rumblings of a potential leadership challenge, with backbench TD’s and Senators holding a parliamentary party meeting last week.
Last night, the government comfortably won a vote of no confidence.
The motion was tabled by Sinn Féin after the coaltion lost its technical Dáil majority when Fine Gael’s Joe McHugh resigned the party whip after voting against the Mica redress scheme.
However, the backing of a number of Independent TDs ensured the coalition won by a margin of 19.
Tensions were elevated in the Fianna Fáil camp prior to the vote, with backbenchers holding a meeting where the leadership of the party was discussed.
The meeting took place while the Taoiseach was visiting Ukraine, however officials say this was merely a coincidence.
Sixmilebridge Fianna Fail Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, who’s previously spoken out against Micheal Martin’s leadership, says it’s been a turbulent time for government and that a new strategy may be needed coming into the next general election.
Listen back to the full interview here:
Meanwhile, further criticism has been levelled at the Taoiseach in relation to the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites from Shannon Group to Clare County Council.
Clare County Council IS meeting with government officials this week to discuss its application for funding to facilitate the transition of the sites.
When questioned by Scariff Indpendent TD Michael McNamara in the Dáil, the Fianna Fáil leader appeared not to know which Department was engaging with council officials in relation to the standstill in the transfer.
