Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is not "not worried" about his position as leader of Fianna Fáil suffered their worst ever election result on Friday.
Deirdre Conroy brought in just under 5% of the vote in the Dublin Bay South by-election which saw Labour's Ivana Bacik elected to the Dáil in a defeat for the Government.
Mr Martin's comments were in response to Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan remarks in the aftermath of the disaster at the polling booths for the party.
The Taoiseach was asked if he was concerned about his position as party leader after the results to which he replied "not at all".
Mr Martin said "When I was elected Taoiseach I made it very clear what I intend to do, my focus is on the government and the people of Ireland, getting through Covid-19, recovering our economy, prioritising housing and healthcare.
"These are the issues people are concerned about, that is what the people want Fianna Fail to focus on and the other parties in government.
"When we do the transition and I become Tanaiste it is my intention to lead the party in to the next election".
The Taoiseach was speaking to the media on Friday at the Parc Ui Chaoimh vaccination centre where he received his second dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine.
Mr Martin thanked HSE staff at the centre and said the teams involved in the rollout have been "superb".
He was selected as director of elections by the Taoiseach for this by-election and said he spoke to Mr Martin and he was also disappointed about the result.
Mr O’Callaghan said he wouldn’t be surprised if “alarm bells are ringing in the heads of most Fianna Fáil TDs” and said the party is aware that they are declining nationally in the polls.
