Fianna Fáil members discussed appointing a new deputy leader while its current leader Micheál Martin is travelling, the Irish Mirror understands.
The Tánaiste was in London on Wednesday evening for the Ukraine recovery conference.
In his absence, his parliamentary party met in Leinster House for their weekly meeting.
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Several sources told the Irish Mirror that Wexford-based Senator Malcolm Byrne proposed putting a deputy leader in place.
It is understood that the proposal was backed by several members, including James O’Connor, John McGuinness and Barry Cowen.
Sources said that it was proposed that the deputy leader would be put in place to focus on elections and strategic planning.
One TD said that they needed to be a deputy leader that could take control of the parliamentary party meetings when Mr Martin, who is the Minister for Foreign Affairs, is travelling on Government business.
They noted that there had been “anger” over the absence of the leader.
“That anger was the obvious theme,” they noted.
It is understood that no names were mentioned in relation to the role, but there was support for the suggestion.
Several TDs expressed surprise that it was Senator Byrne to bring up the suggestion.
Dara Calleary was the last deputy leader of Fianna Fáil but stood down in August 2020 following the golfgate scandal.
Mr Martin has previously said that he does not believe a deputy is required.
This is not the first time the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has met without Mr Martin to discuss the party’s future.
Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators held a secret meeting last July while the then-Taoiseach was visiting war-torn Ukraine.
Over 30 members met to discuss the lack of direction within the party but insisted that leadership was not discussed.
Speaking after Wednesday evening’s meeting, one TD said that things are “heating up” at parliamentary party meetings over several issues.
It is understood that there is anger over the fact that there has been no date set for the party’s pre-budget meeting. A meeting was told two weeks ago that there would be no meeting. However, it is now understood that one will take place following anger from TDs and Senators.
The Irish Mirror understands that several TDs and Senators expressed frustration that no date has been set.
It is also believed that there were discussions about neutrality at the meeting. It is understood that it was suggested that Mr Martin should have issued a statement about President Michael D Higgins’ comments about the neutrality forum sooner than he did.
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