In this very short episode (based on a recent local radio interview) I wonder if Fianna Fáil is still a serious political party?

The leadership's mishandling of the presidential campaign is now compounded by its mishandling of what should have been a simple report into that fiasco.

Ironically... when I am asked which new TD has impressed me most... I reply that it is a Fianna Fáil one... Albert Dolan... proving that there is still some future hope for Fianna Fáil

In this week's episode Derek throws an eye over the impact on government stability of the departure of Pascal Donohoe for the World bank... and wonders why Taoiseach Micheál Martin now questions the linear nature of time and why a delay is not actually a delay... or of any consequence

In this episode I do two things...

First, I explain why the "unsure" camp in the currently divided Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is in single digits and the pro and anti Martin factions are almost evenly divided.

Second, I explain why a departure timeline for Martin that stretches into 2027 or 2028 not only makes no sense, it is potentially damaging to its electoral prospects.

The damage being done to the Keep Martin campaign... by the Keep Martin campaign... makes the Gavin presidential bid look masterful. Their line that any move requires a challenger is contrary to the rules that Martin introduced... rules meant to ensure there could never be a spill (i.e. heave).

As we look back at the Haughey era... though Maire Geoghegan Quinn never actually used this phrase back in 1991 (one year before Haughey's actual departure) her reference to the haughey era was seen a signal to the great man that his time was up.

Are we hearing some subtle hints of the "as we look back at the Martin era" today? I think we are.

Link to that EVERHAZE event pn Tuesday. Register now.

After today's The Week in Politics debate and the Sunday Independent poll numbers, I take a very quick look at the evolving Irish presidential election and conclude (once again) that it will be hugely consequential for the leaderships of Fianna Fáil... and possibly Fine Gael.

Two links:

1. To my Twitter thread

2. To Cathal Lee interview on Shannonside

With Fianna Fáil picking its Aras candidate in 2 days time, Derek looks at how the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party may be about to re-exert its authority by refusing to declare a winner before its votes in secret. The title for this episode from from an old Michael Heseltine anecdote.... it doesn't matter who you say you're voting for.... just so long as you vote for me.

In this episode I discuss the evolving political manoeuvres ahead of the 2025 presidential race. Internal Fine Gael turmoil after the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness should be a boon for Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil, but their continuing silence limits competition. The field is unlikely to go beyond four contenders... five at most.