Micheál Martin says he is 'fighting to be Taoiseach'

Olivia Kelleher

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “fighting to be Taoiseach” as he cast his vote at St Anthony’s Boys National School in Ballinlough in Cork alongside his wife Mary, their sons Micheál Aodh and Cillian and daughter Aoibhe.

The Fianna Fáil leader was casting his vote on a dark and wet morning in Leeside. Mr Martin said the weather was unfortunate.

"It is a great pity [about the weather]. It is not a good weather day but we have had this before in different elections.

"People still turn out to vote and as we came in this morning it was clear that people were making the effort to vote - and I would encourage people to vote.

"It is a very key part of our democracy. The weather, notwithstanding, we would urge people to go out and vote. (But) it is a pity that it is such a wet morning."

Mr Martin said he was campaigning to be Taoiseach after the election.

"But nothing is certain until every vote is counted. There is the aftermath of an election in terms of what happens in Dáil Éireann itself."

"I think it is far, far too premature to be speculating about anything other than our objective which is to maximise the number of Fianna Fáil votes and the number of Fianna Fáil seats. We will take it from there once the count is over."

Mr Martin said he didn’t want to be “overly prescriptive” to voters.

“We are seeking to maximise the Fianna Fáil vote for Fianna Fáil candidates. What we are saying in the aftermath of the general election in terms of the formation of a Government is that we will align with parties that agree with the macro-fundamental principles of an enterprise economy of a positive pro-EU position, parties that are democratic in terms of how they conduct their affairs, parties that favour home ownership and that is very important.

"So there is a lot of hard work ahead. But certainly I did have a very good feeling in the last two to three days in terms of the response I was getting after the debates."

"The sense from all of the constituencies in the past 24 hours has been very positive from our candidates and people sending messages to me. We are hopeful of a good result but we are taking nothing for granted."

The Tánaiste said Ireland needs a Government which can take “decisive action” and last a full term.

"From a Fianna Fáil perspective we have fought a very positive campaign and a very engaging campaign. I want to thank everyone who engaged with our candidates and for their courtesy. We are cautiously hopeful about the outcome of this.

"But it will be a close fought race. I think it is important that we are in a position to form a coherent and stable Government after this election that can meet the very serious challenges that face this country.

"[Fianna Fáil] really are competitive in all constituencies. We have a stronger candidate selection right across the country (then in 2020).

"The local government elections were good for us in that respect. We had newer candidates coming through so there is a broad diversity there."