Martin Emerges As FF Favourite

Despite losing a challenge to Brian Cowen's leadership of Fianna Fail last week, former Foreign Minister Michael Martin has emerged as favourite to lead the party into the General Election.

A Fianna Fáil leadership vote will take place on Wednesday and nominations to stand for the leadership close at 1pm this afternoon.

Running in competition to Mr Martin will be Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin, Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív and the current Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

According to Paddy power, Mr Martin is a huge 1/7 favourite in the race, with Brian Lenihan a distant second and Mary Hanafin the long odds shot at 20/1.

The former leader and current Taoiseach Brian Cowen is expected to back his close associate Brian Lenihan in the race, but not even that endorsement is anticipated to make much impact to Mr Martin's campaign.

At a news conference in Dublin yesterday, Mr Lenihan said people are anxious for the leadership contest and the fact three other people have declared their interest in the role is welcome.

He said he wanted to release the energy of young people in the party and he said the party must shift to a new generation.

Meanwhile, Ms Hanafin said she would love to lead a new Fianna Fáil party and that the vote would not be a "coronation" of Mr Martin.

Among the Fianna Fail members who have publicly back Mr Martin are Cork TDs Billy Kelleher, Ned O’Keeffe, Noel O’Flynn, Michael McGrath and Michael Ahern.

Kerry TD John O’Donoghue, Clare TD Timmy Dooley, Limerick TDs Peter Power and Willie O’Dea and Dublin TDs Sean Haughey, Chris Andrews and Michael Mulcahy also declared for the former foreign affairs minister.

They were joined by Kildare TDs Sean Power and Michael Fitzpatrick.

(DW/GK)