Fianna Fáil Minister of State Thomas Byrne has defended party leader Micheál Martin’s handling of the Jim Gavin issue

A science and technology museum was first proposed in 2000, but no timeline for development is currently available.

The lengthy meeting involved “frank, open, honest, robust, clearing of the air”, he told Newstalk Breakfast.

Five citizens’ assemblies have been established by the Houses of the Oireachtas in the past nine years, aimed at involving members of the public in the consideration of constitutional, legal or policy questions.

Seamus McGrath, the older brother of Michael, is aiming to secure his old Dáil seat in Cork South Central.