The Agriculture Minister has backed Micheal Martin to lead Fianna Fail into the next general election.
The Taoiseach will step down from his role at the end of the year and some backbench TDs have called for him to give up the party leadership at the same time.
Last week, the government won a confidence vote in the Dáil by a margin of 19 votes despite losing its majority due to TDs resigning the whip.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue says the public are happy with Micheal Martin's leadership.
"There's a well known phrase in sport of 'making an opportunity out of nothing.
"That's what we're seeing here, we're seeing a media opportunity out of nothing.
"The feedback right across the country is that people regard Micheal Martin as an exceptional Taoiseach, and somebody we've been very lucky to have over the last couple of years and someone who has great credibility with the public."
