You could forgive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members for beginning to feel the strain. This compared with Fianna Fáil’s and Mr Martin’s 25% and 42% support, respectively, meaning Mr Varadkar and his party had a healthy lead on both fronts. Yes, a significant slice of his party’s traditional grassroots has not forgotten the Fianna Fáil leader’s support for repealing th Eighth Amendment and liberalising Ireland’s abortion laws last year. And, yes, Mr Martin was the subject of widespread ridicule from some commentators, when he agreed to extend the confidence-and-supply deal lastNovember, without any tangible wins. However, as close watchers of the Fianna Fáil leader will testify, there is almost always a hidden undercurrent to what Mr Martin is doing.

Source: Irish Examiner July 19, 2019 23:03 UTC