What next for Martin after moment on world stage?

Detailed summary

For the hundreds of journalists assigned to cover the biggest gathering of political leaders in the history of the Irish State, the day began in the bowels of Croke Park.

For the hundreds of journalists assigned to cover the biggest gathering of political leaders in the history of the Irish State, the day began in the bowels of Croke Park.

The rigorous security screening process took place close to the area where big game players typically prepare for career defining moments.

Just a short hop down the road at the Convention Centre Dublin, the feeling that this is a moment of definition in geopolitics weighed heavily in the air.

The future of Ukraine along with the expansion and strengthening of the European bloc was all in the mix.

Central to it all, for today at least, was Micheál Martin - the assured host whose own future contains a certain fluidity.

Early in the morning when he was asked about what lies ahead, he dismissed the idea that this could be his last European Political Community meeting.

He was adamant that he would fulfill his mandate as Taoiseach, which runs until next November.

There was a detectable albeit momentary hesitancy when it came to the question of leading his party into the next general election.

Of course, in the end he was affirmative about that too, but to do otherwise would render him a lame duck politically.

Opening of the article, excerpted from RTÉ. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.