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Taoiseach Micheál Martin suffered a scathing attack from his own TDs for failing to take a tougher stance on the Leo Varadkar controversy.
During some heated exchanges, Sligo-Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry called Martin “a disgrace”, who accused his leader of being the cause of the party’s low audience ratings.
MacSharry is said to have interrupted their leader on several occasions and Martin said he disagreed with what he called the personalized nature of the attacks.
Various sources said there was a “shouting match” between the two men, but others have said the Taoiseach did not raise his voice.
Break: @fiannafailparty pp meeting “ends abruptly” after @MarcMacsharryTD demands @MichealMartinTD listen to your critics. “If you are not willing to listen, you should not be a leader,” he says.
A shouting match ensued between him and McSharry.– Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) November 4, 2020
He said Mr. Martin allowed the party to be “dragged down” by backing the Fine Gael leader for the leak of the GP contract to the National GP Association in April last year.
In what was described as a very direct attack, former Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen also criticized Martin, noting that he was denied due process before being fired by the Taoiseach, while Varadkar was given time and space to explain. your situation.
Former party whip Michael Moynihan, who was passed over for promotion despite many years of loyal service, said the causes of what he lost to the party in the election remain in effect and asked where the election review was.
Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill voiced what some of his colleagues said was outrage at the party’s low standing. He said many in the match are upset by what he said were different standards for Cowen and Dara Calleary and the pass that was given to Varadkar.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Martin attempted to defend his handling of the matter and also the dismissal of Mr. Cowen and the manner of Mr. Calleary’s resignation.
Mr. Martin also criticized the fact that exchanges at the meeting were tweeted live to the Irish Examiner and other media outlets, describing the meeting as “effectively public meetings now”.
These comments prompted MacSharry to attack him again by asking him to listen to his critics. “If you’re not willing to listen, you shouldn’t be a leader,” MacSharry would have said.
During the meeting, Mr. Martin also made it clear that there will be no premature end to the Level 5 restrictions, insisting that they remain in effect for the full six weeks.
Meanwhile, the Fine Gael leader thanked his party for its support this week, but “did not even apologize” for the ongoing controversy over the leak of the GP agreement document to Dr. Maitiu Ó Tuathail.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told members of his parliamentary party that in his time at Dáil he has never had to face a questioning similar to the one he faced on Tuesday.
In what sources say was a “throwaway comment,” Mr. Varadkar also warned members to be careful who they think their friends are.
Varadkar also spoke about the US elections, saying that Joe Biden’s leadership on the accounts was good for Ireland, noting that Biden has ties to Ireland and an interest in Brexit.
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