A Fianna Fáil TD has tipped Jim O’Callaghan to lead the party, as speculation continues to swirl about the future of Micheál Martin. 

With Fianna Fáil celebrating its centenary this month, the Cork South-Central TD has led it for 15% of its entire existence. 

While only one TD has called for Mr Martin to quit as Taoiseach and party president, many doubt he will lead Fianna Fáil into a fifth General Election. 

On Newstalk Daily, Cork East TD James O’Connor praised his colleague’s work as Minister for Justice. 

“For me, he is such an effective minister, particularly responding to the issues in migration around the reforms of the asylum process in Ireland,” he argued. 

“Around the reforms that are happening where we are responding to the public demand that Ireland needs to reduce, unfortunately, the level of support we're able to provide for international protection and for people fleeing conflict.” 

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan arriving at Government Buildings, ahead of a Cabinet meeting. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Deputy O’Connor said that he had worked in his office for two years prior to his election and described the Dublin Bay South TD as “one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met”. 

Despite this, he admitted that Minister O’Callaghan took a “knock last month”, when he threatened to deploy the Army in response to the fuel protest. 

“I think he learned a valuable lesson in how the public can react when they don't feel that a decision has been taken in the correct and proper manner,” Deputy O’Connor said. 

“That's an important lesson to learn; he had his fingers burnt. 

“But I do feel there is a leader in the future of the party in Jim.” 

Jim O'Callaghan. Picture by: RollingNews.ie. 

Deputy O’Connor also said the caricature of Minister O’Callaghan as a “South Dublin barrister” does not do him justice. 

“He's the son of a primary school principal teacher from the countryside,” he said. 

“He's also the son of a member of An Garda Síochána; he comes from a very grounded background and he's gone on to do really wonderful things with his life.”

Main image: Jim O'Callaghan and Micheál Martin. Picture by: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie