Pacte budgétaire européen
He unsuccessfully contested the leadership of Fianna Fáil after the resignation of Brian Cowen. He lost to Micheál Martin. Martin appointed Ó Cuív as Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil, following Brian Lenihan Jnr's death. However, Ó Cuív ceased to be Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil on 29 February 2012, because of his opposition to his party's stance on the European Fiscal Compact. Ó Cuiv is the grandson of Fianna Fáil founder, Taoiseach and President of Ireland, Éamon de Valera.