Unhappiness with Micheál Martin over Fianna Fáil’s disastrous Presidential Election has grown into open fury. 

A ‘naughty list’ has circulated of 12 TDs who are thought to be opposed to Mr Martin’s leadership at the party. 

Prominent names on the list include former Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, former Minister Willie O’Dea and Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher.

"We are adults, we are not children," one unhappy Fianna Fáiler told Extra.ie.

While Louth TD Erin McGreehan said the leaking of the list was meant to "put us out in public to shame us, to silence us and it’s not right".

With An Taoiseach away in Brazil for the COP climate conference, the widespread unhappiness made for a stormy meeting of the Parliamentary Party last night. 

 “This really is an escalation post the calamity of the Jim Gavin presidential election that saw Fianna Fáil lose all of the money they put into it,” Irish Daily Mail Political Editor Craig Hughes explained to The Pat Kenny Show.  

“They didn’t get their €250,000 back - which they would have got if they’d got more than 12.5% first preference votes. 

“There’s a feeling within the rebel camp that this good for a fertile time to try and take Micheál Martin out.” 

Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Photo Fianna Fail via Roliingnews.ie.

For a motion of no confidence in Mr Martin’s leadership, 12 TDs would need to come forward. 

For it to succeed, a majority would then need to vote against Mr Martin. 

Currently, Mr Hughes believes they have the numbers to bring about a vote. 

“At the moment, I reckon they have about 20,” he said. 

“I would put 19 in the Micheál Martin camp and then nine undecided.

“If they were successful in that, it would go down to a new leadership contest and it would be one member, one vote.” 

Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher with Micheál Martin Picture by: Brian Lawless / Alamy.

While Jack Chambers has long been considered Mr Martin’s Dauphin, his role in the Jim Gavin debacle means he is no longer flavour of the months among the Soldiers of Destiny. 

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan is open about his desire to be team captain but Mr Hughes believes Dara Calleary could also be a “dark horse” in any contest. 

“Especially when it comes down to a membership vote,” he said. 

“Someone with a long lineage in the party, who has served as deputy leader before.

“I think Dara O’Brien previously would have liked to have his name in the mix there as well. 

“So, it’ll be a very interesting contest when it happens.” 

Micheál Martin with Jim Gavin. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

How much longer can Mr Martin last? 

After 14 years in the job, he is a canny political operator but his party is increasingly inpatient with him. 

“If nothing happens by Christmas, then forget about it,” Mr Hughes said. 

“They’re not going to do anything during Ireland’s EU Presidency, that would be seen as far too significant to allow internal party politics to get in the way of and damage ‘Brand Ireland’. 

“Unless anything happens in the next few weeks, I would be betting on Micheál Martin staying in his role until 2026.”

Mr Martin is due to remain Taoiseach until November 2027 when, in theory, he is due to swap jobs with Tánaiste Simon Harris.

Main image: Micheál Martin, Jim Gavin and Fianna Fáil TDs. Picture by: RollingNews.ie