McGuinness interested in succeeding Ó Cuív
Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness has thrown his hat into the ring to become the party's deputy leader following the resignation from the position of Éamon Ó'Cúiv
FF leader Micheál Martin has indicated that he will not be naming a new second-in-command until after the party's ard fheis this weekend, while some reports today said that he may scrap the job altogether.
However Deputy McGuinness said he would be interested in the job, if it is being filled.
"I would of course be interested in it, it's something that you would aspire to in any political party" he said.
"It's an appointment that will be made by the leader Micheál Martin and I'm sure that he will consider all of those individuals that are interested in this."
Galway West TD Michael Kitt insisted that Deputy Ó'Cúiv will not leave the party.
" I know he will be playing a major role," Deputy Kitt told Galway Bay FM.
"He said that he's not joining any other party, he's not forming any other party".
"He's a Fianna Fail man through-and-through," he added.
Meanwhile there was uproar on the floor of the Seanad this morning after a Fine Gael Senator made a mischievous reference to the spat between Ó Cuív and his party leader.
"Isn't it ironic, Cathaoirleach, the way history repeats itself - because Deputy Martin isn't the first Corkman to be shot in the back by a De Valera," joked Kerry Senator Tom Sheahan.
Senator Sheahan withdrew the remarks when asked to by the Cathaoirleach, Senator Paddy Burke.
