The deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil could be in jeopardy if leadership of either party changes, a Fianna Fáil TD has said

Mayo TD Lisa Chambers (FF) also said Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar’s behaviour during the negotiations to form a government had cast doubt on his ability to work with Fianna Fáil TDs.

“Say for example Leo Varadkar took over, if you look at his actions during the negotiation process, they left a lot to be desired in terms of Fianna Fáil members, and in terms of Fianna Fáil TDs,” Ms Chambers said, speaking on The Irish Times Inside Politics podcast.

Asked if Minister Varadkar’s leadership would threaten the stability of the Government, she said “I’m not sure I’d use the word threaten, but I think its a fair question to ask, would it change things, would we have to sit down and have a talk about it. Obviously whatever actions the next leader takes could make a difference,” she said.

“If you change a variable that was part of that agreement it’s naive to think there wouldn’t be discussion after that” she said.

“But from our own perspective, we’re doing our best to ensure Government can get its work done. I think the conversation over last week has actually distracted from Government”.

Fine Gael TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John Paul Phelan, who was also speaking on the podcast, said Taoiseach Enda Kenny “won’t and can’t spell out” a timeframe for his departure, but also said that the leadership question would have to be dealt with “by the spring of next year”.

“Two months now this Government is in office, and we really shouldn’t be having this discussion at this time and I think that is the vast majority view of people in the parliamentary party,” Mr Phelan said.

“But having said that there is a realisation that the question will have to be addressed in the not too distant future.”