The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party will meet at Leinster House this evening to consider Jim Gavin's recent exit from the presidential race and the processes by which he became the party's candidate.
Polling day in the Presidential Election is Friday, 24 October. However, Fianna Fáil's campaign is already over following the decision by Mr Gavin, the party's candidate, to withdraw from the contest last Sunday.
Last night, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he will take "full responsibility" over what happened, adding that he recognised the wider membership was "hurting" over the debacle.
The move followed a report in the Irish Independent that a tenant in a property Mr Gavin owned 16 years ago did not receive a refund they had sought after an overpayment of rent amounting to €3,300.
The development was a humiliation for Mr Gavin and a deep embarrassment for Fianna Fáil.
Read more: Gavin was 'repeatedly asked' about tenant issue, Martin says
This evening, Fianna Fáil TDs, Senators and MEPs will gather at Leinster House to discuss the debacle - it is the number one item on the agenda rather than yesterday's Budget.
The agenda for the key Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/XENCuVc9ke
— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) October 7, 2025
Speaking on RTÉ's Nine O'Clock News last night, Mr Martin declared that he will take "full responsibility" for what happened.
He said he "acted in good faith" over the course of the selection process, but Fianna Fáil needed to map out a way forward to address clear concerns.
Some in Fianna Fáil are worried that Mr Gavin is becoming a scapegoat.
Cork East TD James O'Connor said he had been elevated to being a presidential candidate one day, and unceremoniously thrown under the bus the next.
