The publication of Fianna Fáil review of its botched presidential campaign faces a delay following a request by solicitors for former candidate Jim Gavin to view it.
It was initially set to be circulated towards the end of this week, but Mr Gavin's legal team has now asked for a copy of the draft report, which is also being looked over by solicitors acting on behalf of Fianna Fáil.
The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party tonight amid concerns among some TDs and Senators that the report will not be published until after Christmas.
However, the Taoiseach and party leader sought to reassure members that this will not be the case, saying he expects to receive it before the festive holidays.
Micheál Martin has been under intense pressure within his own party ever since Mr Gavin withdrew from the presidential campaign, following revelations about rent payments owed to a former tenant.
Mr Martin subsequently apologised to his party colleagues, saying he was "deeply sorry" about how things had turned out, and acknowledging that "many, many members of the party are hurting out there today because of what has transpired".
The former Dublin football manager declined to be part of the review, which was overseen by barrister Ciaran O’Loughlin, along with TDs Eamon Scanlon and Tom Brabazon and Senator Margaret Murphy O’Mahony.
Some TDs are worried that the legal intervention by solicitors will see large sections of the review redacted.
There were also calls on the party leader to hold a special parliamentary party meeting to discuss the much anticipated review once it gets legal clearance.
The withdrawal of Mr Gavin from the campaign meant that only two candidates contested the election.
Catherine Connolly became the 10th President of Ireland after winning more than 63% of the vote, well ahead of her only opponent, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys.
