Micheál Martin on political leadership: ‘Don’t get caught up in the bubble’

By David Young and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Micheál Martin has insisted a key to political leadership is to avoid getting “caught up in the bubble”.

Previous internal rumblings of discontent at Mr Martin’s stewardship of Fianna Fáil have largely faded over the course of the last year.

A recent opinion poll ranked the Tánaiste as the most popular Coalition leader.

Past rumours of a leadership heave ahead of the next general election have all but dissipated, with Mr Martin currently seeming secure at the helm of the party.

At his end of year media briefing, Mr Martin was asked what advice he might give to other political leaders who find themselves under pressure.

“I think that the basic advice I would give to anybody is to keep focused on the issues and on the policies, and keep focused on the people out there who elected you and not to get caught up in the bubble,” he said.

“And there will be highs and the lows and there’ll be pressures, but you’ve got to keep focused on the issues of the day, on policy, and on where the general public are.”

Mr Martin has recently made clear he wants to serve in another government after the general election.

The Cork South Central TD said he will lead his party into the election and would like to be part of another administration involving Fianna Fáil.

Speculation over the Tánaiste’s future had prompted suggestions that he might seek to become Ireland’s EU commissioner next year, or could even contemplate running for the Irish presidency in 2025.

Mr Martin has insisted he is still committed to politics, and enjoys being involved in decision-making within a government.