Taoiseach Micheál Martin is set to face questioning about resigning as Fianna Fáil party leader while on an official visit to Japan and Singapore.
Mr Martin is due to touch-down in Tokyo on Tuesday on a visit which hopes to strengthen Irish-Japanese relations.
Mr Martin will meet with the Japan Ireland Parliamentary Friendship League and attend an Irish community and Japanese reception which will be attended by Irish ambassador to Japan, Paul Kavanagh on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Taoiseach will discuss 'inhumane' Russian invasion of Ukraine during visit to Japan and Singapore
And the Fianna Fáil leader will meet Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.
However, it’s party matters back in Ireland that are set to follow Mr Martin overseas after a number of backbench TDs, including long-standing critic John McGuinness stated the Taoiseach should step aside before Tanáiste Leo Varadkar takes over as Taoiseach in December.
However, the Taoiseach has denied being under pressure to resign stating any disquiet within Fianna Fáil "has nothing to do with my leadership.”
A large group of Fianna Fáil TDs are concerned that the party’s identity is not clear-cut to the electorate.
Speaking on Monday, Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart said: “The transition of the office of Taoiseach is beginning to focus minds clearly and I think people are beginning to see what are the consequences for Fianna Fáil going to be of losing the office of Taoiseach.
“Communications is clearly an issue in terms of Fianna Fáil asserting itself and asserting its identity in Government and I think that is a cause of concern for all of the backbenchers but I think we’re serious by the way.
“There’s a huge amount of really good work going on in Government and there has been a gap in the public understanding in the difference Fianna Fáil has made in areas like housing, in terms of policy, there’s been a real policy shift in relation to the areas like childcare and special needs and that message isn’t being got across.
“People get into personality issues like the Taoiseach and Tanáiste’s position but we are serious as backbenchers in the whole idea of a review of the Programme for Government, particularly as the transition comes up.”
Despite Mr Martin stating he will lead Fianna Fáil into the next General Election, Mr Lahart told Newstalk that he doesn’t believe he will.
While in Japan, the Taoiseach will express sincere condolences to the Prime Minister and the people of Japan on the killing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which has shocked the world.
He also plans to raise the war in Ukraine while on his visit.
Speaking before his flight, he said: “While there, I expect to discuss Russia’s immoral and inhumane invasion of Ukraine, the impact of which is being felt all around the world.
“We’ll also discuss global challenges, maintaining economic growth, restoring broken supply chains, and how we can work together on climate change.
“Our Global Ireland Asia Pacific Strategy seeks to deepen our links across the region, and this trip will be an opportunity to create even more opportunities for our countries to work together.”
In Tokyo, the Taoiseach will meet with political representatives, the business community and members of the Irish diaspora.
In the past two years, Ireland’s exports to Japan amounted to €12.7 billion in goods and services.
Ireland is the 7th largest beef exporter to Japan – in 2020, 4800 tonnes, to the value of about €15.7 million
Agri food exports to Japan were worth €147 million in 2020 and approximately €170 million in 2021.
While agri food exports to Singapore exceed €35 million every year.
Imports from Japan to Ireland amounted to a total of €3.2 billion for the years 2021 and 2020.
The Taoiseach will also visit the site of the new Ireland House in Tokyo which is due for completion in 2024 under the Government’s Global Ireland Strategy.
On Thursday, Mr Martin will fly to Singapore where he will meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Before flying home late on Friday, the Taoiseach will also meet with a number of Irish companies operating in Singapore, engage with the Irish community, and visit Changi Chapel and Museum.
This is the first visit to Japan by a Taoiseach since 2013 and the first to Singapore since 2004.
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