Micheal Martin says he'd like to be Taoiseach in next Government - and reveals thoughts on bid for Aras
It follows rumours in recent weeks that the Tánaiste will step down as Fianna Fáil leader within the next year to focus on a Presidential bid
Micheál Martin has said that he would like to be Taoiseach in the next Government as he resisted calls to rule an Áras bid.
It follows rumours in recent weeks that the Tánaiste will step down as Fianna Fáil leader within the next year to focus on a Presidential bid when Michael D Higgins’ tenure comes to an end next year.
Following a meeting with the Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday [fri], Mr Shide said that if he was an Irish citizen, he would vote for Mr Martin to be the “leader of Ireland”. Asked by the Irish Mirror if he meant Taoiseach or President, Minister Shide said whichever had the most power.
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We later asked Mr Martin if he would rule out a run for the presidency next year, but he insisted that his focus was securing a second term as Taoiseach.
“What’s in my plans is a run in the next general election and for our party [Fianna Fáil] to win as many seats as possible,” the Tánaiste said, I would like to be Taoiseach again in that respect. I think that's a legitimate aspiration, that's my focus.
“That election will happen within the next seven months now, eight months before March. “That's my focus. Every party leader in the government is entitled to that aspiration. But I believe in the economic model we have in Ireland, I think it's a model that has served us well as a country.
“I believe in the pro-enterprise agenda within Ireland. In terms of making sure that the key areas of housing, which is the big issue for people in the country, particularly younger people in the country, that we will continue the momentum and make sure over the next four to five years that we can bring about substantial improvements in terms of capacity to buy houses or rent houses at affordable prices, continue to develop our health service, but also look at areas like special needs education, special needs health to get a comprehensive solution to may of the issues that parents and children are facing.
“What I'm trying to say to you is my agenda is very proactive, strong. I am committed to the country, I am committed to resolving these challenges, working on these challenges. That’s my motivation. As I said, my focus is to become Taoiseach.”
Asked again by the Irish Mirror if he would categorically rule out an Áras bid, the Tánaiste failed to do so but joked that he had spent the last while being asked to rule himself out of another job he did not end up taking. "In fairness, you’ve spent two years asking me, ‘Are you ruling out being a Commissioner’,
“You saw what happened. I have… All the time. ‘What are you doing next?’ I’ll tell you what I'm doing next. If I become Taoiseach, I think that answers your question.” Mr Martin said that all political parties have a “lot to do” ahead of the next general election and “can take nothing for granted”.
He later took a dig at Sinn Féin when asked if we would enter into coalition with them. He said that Mary Lou McDonald’s party would “undermine” Ireland’s “pro-enterprise and pro-economic model” and that they “oppose” trade agreements. Mr Martin added: “I think Sinn Féin would tax the Irish economy more, tax small to medium-sized enterprises more.”
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