Taoiseach 'confident' he will remain party leader amid review criticism

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin has said he is "absolutely" confident he will remain as leader of Fianna Fáil, despite criticism within the party over a review into its handling of the presidential election.

Martin has been coming under increasing pressure from party backbenchers to publish the review.

He has been facing backlash from his own TDs (members of parliament) since the party's candidate in October's presidential election, Jim Gavin, withdrew from the election.

Fianna Fáil TDs and senators expect the review to be sent to them on Tuesday and a special parliamentary party meeting is expected to be held in the evening to discuss it.

On Monday, Martin hit out at "extremely disappointing, selective and inaccurate" commentary over the review.

Mr Gavin abandoned his campaign after it emerged he owed a former tenant money which was mistakenly overpaid. Mr Gavin has since repaid the money.

His name remained on the ballot paper and Mr Gavin received 7.18% first preference votes in the October 24 election.

The party leader has been under pressure from within his party since polling day and senior counsel was tasked with carrying out a report into the party's handling of the campaign.

Mr Martin issued a statement condemning "commentary" around the review after three senior party TDs called for the "immediate release" of the report on Monday.

A number of media reports in recent days have emerged with alleged details from the report.

TDs Willie O'Dea, Pat Gallagher and Seán Ó Fearghaíl criticised leaks from the review to the media, saying it is "damaging Fianna Fáil's reputation with the public and our supporters".

"The leaks have undermined trust across the party. These leaks are unacceptable," they said.

"The leaks point to a lack of candour within Fianna Fáil. This lack of candour contributed to the current debacle and seriously weakened confidence in our internal decision-making. Accountability is now essential if we are to restore trust and credibility.

"The public expects better from us. We insist that the full report be published now, without any delay. Then the facts can be faced squarely, and responsibility accepted."

But the party leader has now criticised "commentary" around the review.

"The commentary of the past week has been extremely disappointing, selective and inaccurate," Martin said in a statement issued by Fianna Fáil.

"The leader takes exception, in particular, to some of what has been written over the weekend which has been based on false assertions."

He said the parliamentary party agreed on a terms of reference for the review and it was agreed once the report was received, it would be "shared and discussed" with the parliamentary party.