FIANNA FÁIL DEPUTY leader Eamon Ó Cuív has announced he is staying in the party.

Before Fianna Fáil had officially launched its ‘yes’ campaign in support of the referendum on 31 May, Ó Cuív had indicated he did not support a ‘yes’ vote.

The party had requested he desist from supporting a ‘no’ vote in the Fiscal Treaty referendum at the end of this month.

However, the Galway West TD said that while he would not actively campaign for a ‘no’ vote, he would respond to media requests for his opinion on the matter.

Speaking outside the Dáil this evening, Ó Cuív said he would abide by the party’s wishes and make no more public comment on the referendum to the media.

“I will not be making any further pronouncements in the media on the referendum” in accordance with the wishes of FF leadership, the TD said.

Ó Cuív said that while he has no problem with the European Union, there are design flaws in the construct of the euro currency. The referendum is a very serious issue, he said.

Addressing speculation over his possible resignation from the party, he said: “There has been some speculation in recent times as to whether I would ever join another party.”

“I see no other party than Fianna Fáil – for all its faults – that represents my political views.”

Ó Cuív said he was not challenging Micheál Martin for the party leadership and that he has absolute confidence in him, though they disagree on this issue.

- Additional reporting by Christina Finn