The Pat Kenny Show Infighting continues in Fianna Fáil
Nov 6, 2025
Craig Hughes, Political Editor at the Irish Daily Mail, dives into the turbulent waters of Fianna Fáil's internal conflict. He reveals how a controversial list of TDs sparked fresh tensions and how recent electoral losses have empowered rebel factions. Hughes explores potential leadership challengers and the impact of an internal report on party dynamics. He assesses Micheál Martin's resilience amidst the chaos and discusses the unexpected stability brought on by Ireland's upcoming EU presidency.
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List Fuels Internal Revolt
- A circulated list of 12 TDs escalated tensions within Fianna Fáil and framed recent rebellion talk.
- Craig Hughes says the list prompted anger and revived memories of a past near-confidence motion when the Taoiseach was abroad.
Past Revolt While Leader Abroad
- Hughes recalled the July 2022 episode when Micheál Martin was in Ukraine and rebels fell short of triggering a confidence vote.
- That history is cited as precedent for a possible repeat while Martin attends COP30 in Brazil.
Numbers Needed For A Leadership Change
- The mechanics need 25% of TDs (12) to force a confidence motion and a simple majority (25) to remove the leader.
- Hughes estimates rebels have about 20 signatures available and 9 undecided, short of an immediate majority.