His name remained on the ballot paper and Mr Gavin received 7.18% first preference votes in the October 24 election.

The party leader has been under pressure from within his party since polling day and senior counsel was tasked with carrying out a report into the party’s handling of the campaign.

A special meeting of the parliamentary party is due to take place to discuss the review but it is unclear when this will happen.

Mr Martin issued a statement condemning “commentary” around the review after three senior party TDs called for the “immediate release” of the report on Monday.

A number of media reports in recent days have emerged with alleged details from the report.

TDs Willie O’Dea, Pat Gallagher and Seán Ó Fearghaíl criticised leaks from the review to the media, saying it is “damaging Fianna Fáil’s reputation with the public and our supporters”.

“The leaks have undermined trust across the party. These leaks are unacceptable,” they said.

“The leaks point to a lack of candour within Fianna Fáil. This lack of candour contributed to the current debacle and seriously weakened confidence in our internal decision-making. Accountability is now essential if we are to restore trust and credibility.

“The public expects better from us. We insist that the full report be published now, without any delay. Then the facts can be faced squarely, and responsibility accepted.”

But the party leader has now criticised “commentary” around the review.

“The commentary of the past week has been extremely disappointing, selective and inaccurate,” Martin said in a statement issued by Fianna Fail.

“The leader takes exception, in particular, to some of what has been written over the weekend which has been based on false assertions.”

He said the parliamentary party agreed on a terms of reference for the review and it was agreed once the report was received, it would be “shared and discussed” with the parliamentary party.

“The party wants to be absolutely clear that the party leader has not yet received the report.

“The leader has been keen to allow the review committee to do its work independently.”