Local TD's Bemoan Fianna Fáil's And Fine Gael's Cataclysmic Level Presidential Disasters

Internal Tensions Rise in Fianna Fáil as Questions Mount Over Leadership and Housing Crisis while in Fine Gael it's not so plain sailing either after Heather Humphries presidential election slump

As the dust settles from a turbulent presidential campaign, doubts are mounting over whether the Fianna Fáil party leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin will steer the ship into the next general election.

Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne, told Newstalk Breakfast of growing uncertainty:

“Frankly, I think it would be unlikely that he will lead us into the next election,” Byrne said, without committing to a timeline.

The comments come amid what many insiders describe as simmering frustration within the party’s middle ranks.

Sources say the slow pace of action on housing, in particular, has left backbenchers questioning the government’s priorities.

“Mr Martin should be meeting weekly with Uisce Éireann, the ESB, and approved housing bodies,” Byrne said, emphasising the urgency of the housing crisis.

“Every Monday morning, all the key players around housing should be around the table. People are waiting, and the delays are unacceptable.”

Byrne also reflected on the party’s recent presidential campaign, which saw candidate Jim Gavin withdraw mid-race, calling it “disastrous” and leaving many members feeling ignored.

“There was a sense we weren’t listened to during the campaign, and maybe we should have asked more questions,” he said. “But the real issue now is about taking control and making progress on the things that matter to people, like housing.”

Other Fianna Fáil members echo his sentiment, pointing to the role of unelected advisors and state agencies in slowing key decisions.

The frustration isn’t just political—it’s personal. Byrne explained that friends and family who worked hard to secure a home are struggling to enter the market, despite meeting all the criteria.

While Byrne stopped short of joining a formal no-confidence motion, he welcomed Martin’s recent efforts to engage backbenchers. “He’s an experienced politician. He should be able to read the room,” Byrne said ahead of a scheduled meeting with the Taoiseach.

The ripple effect of electoral disappointment isn’t limited to Fianna Fáil. Fine Gael’s Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan also voiced criticism of his party’s approach.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1, Brennan described Fine Gael’s presidential candidate selection process as “not fit for purpose,” calling for greater involvement from grassroots members.

For Fianna Fáil, the question is whether Micheál Martin can regain the confidence of his party—or whether a change at the top is inevitable before the next election. For Fine Gael, it’s about reconnecting leadership with members and creating a more transparent selection process.