section_path: Leadership of Fianna Fáil (2011–present)/2016–2018
section_name: 2016–2018
paragraph_text: 2016–2018
  
  In 2016, he criticised Fine Gael for plans to cut personal taxation in Ireland to levels seen in the United States.
  
  At the 2016 general election, Martin led Fianna Fáil to a modest recovery, with a representation of 44 seats in the 158-member parliament. In 2016, he was nominated for Taoiseach, but no nominees received enough votes to be nominated as Taoiseach.
  
  Martin was also the party Spokesperson on Northern Ireland.
  
  In January 2018, Martin stated that he would support a relaxation of Ireland's abortion stance, citing "cruel inflexibility and unintended consequences". Specifically, he said "he would vote in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment and to allow abortion on request until near the end of the first trimester," leading to some political conflict within Fianna Fáil. 31 of the party's TDs and Senators posed for a photograph showing their opposition to repealing the eighth amendment, with over half of the parliamentary party supporting a No vote.
  
  In November 2018, Varadkar and Martin argued over carbon tax increases led to the Dáil almost being adjourned for the day. Martin was given the decision in December 2018 on whether to enter into talks to renegotiate the confidence-and-supply deal. In December 2018, Martin ruled out a 2019 general election, agreeing to a one-year extension between his party and Fine Gael in Ireland's "national interest".