Éamon Ó Cuív has said the fuel protests must make Fianna Fáil “sit up” and realise how out of touch it is with people. 

Yesterday, the party’s three youngest TDs published an open letter on social media, describing themselves as “deeply worried” about the disconnect between the political class and the public. 

Their intervention was backed by former Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who called for an urgent discussion about the party’s future. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, former Fianna Fáil deputy leader Éamon Ó Cuív lamented that the party was much more of a movement when he started out in politics. 

“In my constituency, there would have been 80 or 90 cumainn, depending on the size of the constituency at various times,” he explained. 

“And they were a great sounding board, and they left you in no doubt as to what their views were - and they represented a wide swathe of local communities.” 

Micheál Martin and Éamon Ó Cuív in 2011. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Mr Ó Cuív, who served as TD for Galway West for over three decades, said this meant he received “constant feedback” about policy and local issues. 

“I think it is fair to say that politics has changed,” he said. 

“But we haven't compensated for those changes in terms of the structures.”

Reflecting on the recent fuel protests, Mr Ó Cuív said many people taking part had “never been involved in a protest in their life”.

He added that most were “really hardworking people” who were struggling to do their jobs. 

“These people were largely representative of the indigenous economy,” he continued. 

“So, you had agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction, retail, all the distributors who are key there and have a big input into those industries.

“Because if you're transporting microchips, transport is a very, very small percentage of your costs. 

“If you're transporting agricultural goods, livestock, forestry, timber, or whatever, transport forms a very big part of your operation.”

Éamon Ó Cuív with fellow Ministers in 2010. Picture by: Leon Farrell Photocall Ireland.

When asked about Micheál Martin’s leadership of Fianna Fáil, Mr Ó Cuív said he would not “seek to advise” the Parliamentary Party, but described debate as a “healthy” thing. 

“There is a wider issue, of course, about the organisation of the party and whether it is possible to create a new form of communications that means that you are getting the feedback from the ground,” he said. 

“Because I've never seen in my time in politics - and I've been through an awful lot - I was through the whole downturn as a Minister, but I never saw such a concentrated, continuous protest amongst Middle Ireland.

“And I think that that is what must make us sit up.”

Main image: Éamon Ó Cuív. Picture by: Alamy.com.