Fianna Fáil TD, Malcolm Byrne has said Taoiseach Micheál Martin could have shown "more empathy" during the fuel price protests.
Mr Byrne's comments earlier today come just a day after the Taoiseach held a meeting with three Fianna Fáil TDs over the response to the fuel crisis. He said that he had spoken to Mr Martin and he understands the pain and pressure facing people at present.
However, Mr Byrne claimed that some of the language and tone used did not reflect this.
"I think, in terms of the tone from, and I certainly don't personalise it, but the Taoiseach and some of the ministers, I think it could have been a case of more empathy being shown and more understanding, because I do know that they get it", he said. "We got certain things wrong in terms of our approach last week".
Elsewhere, Mr Byrne also stated that he was unaware of any no confidence motion in the Taoiseach's leadership.
Following the conclusion of this meeting between Mr Martin and the three TDs, Albert Dolan, Ryan O'Meara and James O'Connor, the trio released a statement saying "the social contract was strained to breaking point". They said that it should not require a protest for the government to act.
Later, the three TDs requested other Fianna Fáil politicians for an urgent parliamentary meeting, which surprised many in the party.
These discussions come amid huge pressure on Mr Martin over the Government's handling of this fuel crisis.
At present, it remains likely that many are keeping quiet amid calls in some places to call for a no confidence motion. It remain likely that leadership contenders are not pushing the matter for the moment.
News of this come off the back of Michael Healy-Rae's recent resignation as junior minister, stating that the Government's recent support package "wasn't enough" to combat the problems facing workers and families in this crisis.
Mr Healy-Rae claimed that he was unhappy with the €505 million Government support package, stating that it failed to reflect the realities facing households across the country.
“It was a big decision which was thought through a lot by me. I want to work for the people of Kerry. But I listen to people and I believe the Government had lost its way, the leadership in particular had lost their way", he said. “Over the last week, I tried everything I could to help people. The package wasn’t enough, it didn’t recognise enough the hardship that is out there".
More on this story here.
