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FF's Stephen Donnelly Says He...

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


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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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