Outgoing Clare TD Timmy Dooley has dismissed any suggestion that a change of leadership is needed within the Fianna Fáil party.
It comes as Government formation talks get underway between a number of parties.
The first government formation meetings are taking place today.
Sinn Féin has had what’s described as a “useful and constructive” meeting with the Green Party, and the two sides have agreed to begin exchanging ideas ahead of further meetings.
They’re due to meet Solidarity-People Before Profit and the Social Democrats, while some talks involving those parties and Fianna Fáil are also due to be held in the coming days.
So far, Fine Gael are taking a step back as they take stock of their poor elections.
Leo Varadkar says he thinks he’ll be the leader of the opposition when the dust settles on these talks.
The Fine Gael leader says he will talk to other parties if his numbers are needed to provide a stable government but he’s accepted he’s unlikely to be Taoiseach.
Fianna Fáil is split on what to do and whether it should work with Sinn Féin.
Micheál Martin has opened the door to this possibility, even though the likes of Jim O’Callaghan and Anne Rabbite have flatly ruled out serving any government involving both parties.
The party’s election result has also led some to question the future of the party leader, but outgoing Clare TD Timmy Dooley who was among a number of high profile party members who lost their seat this weekend – has dismissed any suggestion that a change of leadership is needed.
He doesn’t think there’s anyone else in the party that could lead more effectively.
Both Labour and the Social Democrats also hold their first post-election Parliamentary Party meetings today.
It’s expected Labour Leader Brendan Howlin will say his party should not go into government, while the Social Democrats are open to talking to everyone.
The Social Democrats plan to meet with other political parties tomorrow, but co-leader Roisin Shortall says a government could still be weeks or months away.
