Micheál Martin has indicated that he may run for Taoiseach again after the next general election, which is not scheduled until early 2025.
Mr Martin stands down as Taoiseach in December and hands over the office of Taoiseach to his Coalition partner and Fine Gael leader, Leo Varadkar.
It was widely expected that he would move aside at some stage before the next election, making way for a new Fianna Fáil leader.
However, his comments last night at the opening of the 80th Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis suggest that Mr Martin may not be such a retiring type as was first thought.
He was asked if he would like to be Taoiseach after the next election and he said: “Sure, who knows, we’re very determined…. In the last poll we were at 24%.”
He added: “I’m making the point generally that people need to reflect a bit more in terms of when we’re commenting about who is going to be where in the future.
“Politics always throws up surprises and you may be surprised yet.”
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