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Miche\u00e1l Martin has said that he will not call an election in 2019 no matter what happens with Brexit.<\/p>\nMiche\u00e1l Martin has said that he will not call an election in 2019 no matter what happens with Brexit.<\/p>\n
Some members of his party want an election sooner rather than later if there’s an extension to Brexit or a deal reached.<\/p>\n
Even more wanted to pull down the government over the scandal surrounding the overruns at the National Children’s Hospital.<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin dealt with grassroot rumblings from his party head-on at the Fianna F\u00e1il Ard Fheis in Dublin.<\/p>\n
The Fianna F\u00e1il leader said that pulling out of government in the run-up to Brexit would only leave the country exposed at a time of great threat.<\/p>\n
“We’re going to give the government space for 2019 because, as I said yesterday, you can’t extend confidence and supply on a piecemeal basis.<\/p>\n
“First of all the extension will be a short extension. I think we need to be realistic about that.”<\/p>\n
He also lashed out at what he described as “an out of touch” government with missed targets and failing policies on housing and health.<\/p>\n
“Through this winter, every night over 150 people have been sleeping on the streets of our capital city. And what have we heard from Fine Gael?<\/p>\n
“Their leader announced ‘we have a plan and it’s working’, their Minister celebrated the latest housing figures, figures which showed a perfect record for his government of missing every target.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach will take comfort from the latest political opinion poll out today.<\/p>\n
Despite the recent nurses’ strike and rows over spending for the National Children’s Hospital, Fine Gael have lost just 1% and still head the leader board at 31%.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il is 7 points behind, up 2 on 24% in today’s RedC poll for the Sunday Business Post.<\/p>\n