Clare's Minister of State is not any expecting any sudden challenge to the Taoiseach's leadership. It's understood that 10 members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party have signed a document seeking a no confidence motion in Micheál Martin, where 12 are required. Party officials at Fianna Fáil have darwn up an alleged 'rebel' list of those who oppose the Taoiseach's reign, which includes TDs James O'Connor, Paudie O'Sullivan, Seamus McGrath, John Lahart, Erin McGreehan, John McGuinness and Peter Chap Cleere. There's a separate list detailing the "old guard" of Willie O'Dea, Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher and Seán O'Fearghail, who are not behind any heave, but would reportedly welcome change. The developments have been sparked by the Jim Gavin presidential debacle, and now many political analysts are touting Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan as the potential successor. However, Tulla based Minister Timmy Dooley can't see anyone stepping up in the current climate. Micheál Martin has been at the helm of Fianna Fáil for 14 years now, which is the joint second longest reign at the party, tied with Bertie Ahern and only beaten by Éamon De Valera who was in office for 33 years. Despite the controversey of recent weeks, Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe insists that Martin's leadership is not in question and that he intends to lead the party into the next General Election.

Image (c) Micheál Martin via Facebook