Smith introduces leader at the 78th Ard Fheis

One of the main talking points of Fianna Fáil's 78th Ard Fheis last weekend was the statement by the party leader, Michéal Martin, that they would not go into government with either Sinn Féin or Fine Gael.
Deputy Martin made the comments before the party's Ard Fheis, which was held in Dublin's RDS. Cavan was ably represented at the gathering and the introduction to Uachtarán Fhianna Fáil's opening address was given by Deputy Brendan Smith.
In his launch the Cavan Monaghan TD said that at the last Ard Fheis the pundits were talking as though the election was already over: “Across the country, from Cork to Cavan/Monaghan, from Dublin to Donegal and from Kerry to Kildare, we showed just how wrong they were. We showed how Fianna Fáil works on the ground,” Deputy Smith said.
He continued by telling the assembly that Michéal Martin had stood up to the mark to ensure that the country had a stable Government in uncertain times. He said: “In the Dáil he shows how new politics can work.”
Deputy Smith concluded by saying his party leader had led the electoral campaign from the front and hoped to set the tone for “a constructive and engaging” Árd Fheis with participation by Members from all over Ireland in “a positive and forward looking message”.