Micheál Martin’s leadership is "in more bother" than ever before, RTÉ Radio One reporter Barry Lenihan has told Behind the Story.
It comes in the wake of the Jim Gavin presidential candidate controversy for Fianna Fáil.
A recent opinion poll has suggested support for the Fianna Fáil leader has fallen 11 percentage points to 33%, his lowest personal rating in half a decade.
However, asked specifically if Mr Martin should have resigned as Fianna Fáil leader over the controversy, 51% of respondents said he should not, compared to 32% who said he should.
A review into the party’s presidential campaign is due to be presented to the parliamentary party on 12 November.
Read more: Support for Fianna Fáil leader falls, poll suggests
Barry said any call for change at the top of the party needs to have the numbers to support it.
"Remember the numbers that are required, 12 signatures [are required] to trigger a motion of no confidence in his leadership of Fianna Fáil – and 25 is the number that that rebels need in order to topple the Corkonian," he explained.
"Talking to one long-standing TD earlier, he said to me, 'Micheál will have to earn this to see this off’.
"So, there is certainly some level of trouble – now those close to him are arguing that we’ve seen this many times over the 14 years".
‘Privacy of the ballot box’
Several Fianna Fáil members have since spoken out around Mr Martin’s leadership.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien has suggested that the "vast majority" of parliamentary party members support Mr Martin as leader "unquestionably."
While Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness said on Sunday that the party needs a new leader "in the not too distant future".
Recalling support for MEP Billy Kelleher to run as the party’s presidential candidate against Jim Gavin ahead of the campaign, Barry said there are some Fianna Fáil members who have remained silent.
"What was the result? It was Jim Gavin 60, Billy Kelleher 40", he said.
"So, the Taoiseach and the hierarchy are surely aware that within that room – it is a secret ballot – if we do get to a motion of no confidence, there are people who have been silent heretofore that maybe the leadership think they have as supporters.
"But in the privacy of the ballot box, [they] might well sway the other way".
Barry believes if Mr Martin decides to put an end date to his own leadership, that may also weaken his position.
"Once you do put that end date there, or when it’s in the minds of people, it does perhaps undermine the authority."
The recent poll also suggests support for the Fianna Fáil party has fallen 5% and now stands at 17%.
On this, Barry suggests: "One more bad opinion poll, to dip below 17%, and anxiety might rise there again".
Fran and Evelyn also discuss RTÉ’s 2024 Annual Report - which saw income from the licence fee drop €4 million last year – and details the top 10 highest-paid presenters.
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