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FF's Stephen Donnelly Says He Has 'Full Confidence' In Micheál Martin

The Health Minister says he has full confidence in Micheal Martin. Stephen Donnelly believes interna...


FF's Stephen Donnelly Says He...

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FF's Stephen Donnelly Says He Has 'Full Confidence' In Micheál Martin


The Health Minister says he has full confidence in Micheal Martin.

Stephen Donnelly believes internal party "bickering" is bad for Fianna Fáil.

His comments follow a call from party TD Barry Cowan for a special meeting to analyse the party's poor performance in the Dublin Bay South by-election.

Fianna Fáil's candidate Deirdre Conroy won less than 5% of first preference votes, compared to over 30% for the winner - Labour's Ivana Bacik.

Sligo-Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry has also called on Micheal Martin to resign as party leader.

However, Minister Donnelly doesn't agree the Taoiseach should step down.

He said: "I have full confidence in Micheál Martin - I think he's doing a really good job in what is an incredibly difficult period for the country.

"I think the sort of internal bickering is bad for the party - I think the party has an incredibly important job right now in Government."

He acknowledged Fianna Fáil's by-election result was disappointing, but suggested the record shows Government parties don't win by-elections.

He said the party will "reflect" on the result, but added his own focus is currently on dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.

Mr Martin also has the support of Minister Michael McGrath, who today said this is not the time for Fianna Fáil to be talking about themselves.

Main image: File photo of Stephen Donnelly. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie


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Micheál Martin Stephen Donnelly

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