‘Stays to be seen if I’ll be Taoiseach’, Martin says after election | BreakingNews.ie

Fianna Fail chief Micheál Martin mentioned it “stays to be seen” whether or not he would be the subsequent Taoiseach, as he predicted an outperformance of an exit ballot which positioned his get together carefully trailing in third.

Mr Martin was comfortably elected on the primary rely after topping the ballot within the Cork South Central constituency, and was hoisted into the air by his sons Cillian and Micheal Aodh.

The exit ballot put his get together on 19.5 per cent, behind its Civil Warfare rival-turned coalition accomplice Fantastic Gael at 21 per cent and the most important opposition get together Sinn Fein at 21.1 per cent.

Talking instantly after his election, a jubilant Mr Martin predicted: “It transpires that we’ll most likely exceed that exit ballot prediction above the margin of error [of 1.4%] – we may very well be 21.9% now.”

He mentioned the day following the ballot had been a “rollercoaster”, reflecting that the get together had been “left questioning ‘the place had been we?’” after the exit ballot.

Requested about that chance he would turn into Taoiseach because the chief of the most important get together within the subsequent coalition, he informed reporters he was now awaiting the nationwide outcomes – which may take days to finalise.

He added: “That continues to be to be seen, clearly, by way of the outcomes the size and breadth of the nation.”

He additional warned that the election stays “terribly aggressive” and added: “There’s going to be numerous twists and turns.”

Mr Martin thanked the individuals of Cork South Central for re-electing him, including that he feels a “big sense of accountability”.

“I may even be grateful to them for enabling me to have the honour of representing them in Dail Eireann – that’s my first job, a consultant of Cork South Central and advance the pursuits of Cork extra typically.”

He additionally thanked his household, saying: “I need to thank my spouse Mary who actually labored night time and day after I was across the nation, main the marketing campaign with Micheal Aodh and Aoibhe and Cillian.”

Hypothesis has begun on what events or independents could be a part of with Fianna Fáil – and Fantastic Gael – in a future coalition.

Each these events have dominated out a coalition with Sinn Fein.

Turning to that course of of presidency formation, he mentioned he wish to see that occur quicker than in 2020 – when it took a number of months.

That course of resulted in Fianna Fail and Fantastic Gael, two events solid from opposing sides of Eire’s Civil Warfare of the Twenties, agreeing to put aside nearly a century of animosity and share energy.

The Greens joined as a junior accomplice, however early indications confirmed the get together may very well be dealing with an electoral wipeout.

Mr Martin mentioned: The Greens, to their credit score, didn’t buckle over the 4 and a half years.

“Being in authorities may be tough for any political get together.

“It’s to the credit score of the Greens that they went into authorities. We had challenges, we had totally different priorities of three political events, however this authorities went full time period, and I believe Eire was for the higher for that.”

Taking the earlier formation talks into consideration, Mr Martin predicted the longer term will contain very tough negotiations between events: “It will likely be difficult. This isn’t simple.”

He mentioned there needs to be “actual readability” round a programme for presidency earlier than forming a coalition.

Requested how vital it’s to type a authorities earlier than the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, Mr Martin mentioned: “I believe we now have to… to be trustworthy with you, in the perfect pursuits of Eire within the first occasion.”

Election 2024

Election rely day 1: Helen McEntee elected in Mea…

Fianna Fáil had campaigned on a message of secure monetary administration within the face of potential financial shocks attributable to coverage choices from the subsequent US administration.

Requested why he felt Fianna Fáil was underestimated within the polls, he mentioned: “Look, I’m not going to go on about polls however I might have had a greater night final night time if they’d been extra correct.”

He added: “I imply the polls give Fianna Fail coronary heart assaults on a regular basis.”