Micheal Martin is unlikely to lead Fianna Fail into the next election, the main contender to take over the leadership of the party claimed on Sunday.
As war within the party erupts after last week’s disastrous Dublin Bay South by-election defeat Jim O’Callaghan confirmed he wants to take the helm.
While frustration in the party is growing, he ruled out a motion of no confidence but supports party colleague Barry Cowen’s call for a meeting to discuss the result.
Speaking on RTE’s This Week, Mr O’Callaghan, TD Dublin Bay South said he has not been approached by anyone to sign a motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Martin.
But he confirmed he is interested in leading the party, but did not want to undermine the current leader.
He added: “I am interested in leading Fianna Fail. I believe it’s an honour and a privilege but I’m not going to do anything just to undermine the leader or give the media an impression there’s something going on when I don’t think there is.”
It was reported at the weekend there moves to secure 10 signatures that could trigger a motion of no confidence.
Mr O’Callaghan said: “Obviously I’m conscious that Micheal Martin doesn’t want to say anything that can undermine his current position, and I don’t want to contribute to that.
“But I would have thought it unlikely that in 2025 Micheal Martin will be leading Fianna Fail into an election. That’s just my own view and I understand his reticence in saying that.”
When asked if he wanted to become leader he said: “I’m not going to rule myself out but I’m not going to do it just for the sake of trying to undermine the leader.”
The party secured just 4.6% of the vote in the Dublin South by-election which Mr O’Callaghan described as a “shockingly bad result” for Fianna Fail.
The seat was claimed by Labour Senator Ivana Bacik.
