Politics, at its core, is all about survival. And few can argue that Micheál Martin is anything other than a survivor, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of our political staff.

Barring an unexpected plot twist, the Fianna Fáil leader will later today become Taoiseach for the second time in his career when the Dáil votes him and his would-be government back into power.

For someone who until recent years was the subject of whispers that he would be the first leader of Fianna Fáil leader never to have been Taoiseach, and who spent his first decade as Fianna Fáil leader quelling backbench upheavals, it is quite the feat.

Add to that the fact Mr Martin is the only minister from the Celtic Tiger era crash still standing, and who has held his Cork South Central seat for 36 years, and the likely next Taoiseach's survival instincts should not be underplayed.

But with a lengthy list of unresolved problems and newer ones on the horizon, ranging from housing to health to the Donald Trump presidency to the economy, a number of difficulties are again on the radar.

All of it means that he will have to put all of what even his detractors accept is a politically tactical mind to full use as he attempts to survive, and succeed, during his second term at the head of government.

Read more here