Archbishop Diarmuid Martin The archbishop of Dublin intervened to avoid a general election during the political row which led to the resignation of Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald. Pointing out the time and polarisation an election would involve, he told RTE news on Sunday last that “people will suffer”.
Earlier at the reopening of Huntstown Church, damaged by a fire in June 2016, Dr Martin said Dublin and Ireland had many “urgent needs”. “I appeal this morning to political leaders to place these needs first. Splintering and bickering damage not just politics but damage the service people need.”