THERE WOULD be no further challenges to Enda Kenny’s leadership of Fine Gael, party transport spokesman Fergus O’Dowd said yesterday.
“I had doubts about Enda’s leadership last week, but I have no doubts today,’’ he said.
“People have seen a new side of Enda, which was important.’’
Mr O’Dowd, who supported Richard Bruton in the heave against Mr Kenny, said he did not regret what happened. “It was something that had to happen. It happened and now it is over,’’ he said.
“What was said was said, what was done was done, and there is clarity now that Enda is the undisputed leader and the next taoiseach.’’
He told The Irish Timeshe believed Mr Kenny had the "absolute support'' of the parliamentary party.
He repeated his willingness to serve on the new front bench if asked.
“I am at Enda’s disposal,’’ he said.
“It is up to him to decide. I am not expecting any favours.’’
He said he believed it was essential that Mr Bruton be reappointed to the front bench.
Mr O’Dowd will be part of a Fine Gael delegation travelling with Mr Kenny to Northern Ireland today to meet political leaders, including First Minister Peter Robinson.
Asked what he would say to Mr Kenny in their first face-to-face meeting since the heave, Mr O’Dowd said: “I will talk about the North and the need for a new understanding, given that there is a new British prime minister.’’
He added that he did not believe they would discuss last week’s events.
“Enda is not that sort of guy,’’ he said. “He holds no bitterness. We will shake hands and move on.’’
Mr O’Dowd, who represents Louth, said he was not aware that a plot had been brewing against Mr Kenny for some months, as had been suggested in some media reports.
“I received no phone calls and had no debate with anybody in the parliamentary party about Enda’s leadership during that time,’’ he said.
Mr O’Dowd compared the heave against Mr Kenny to a family row.
“You have a row with a family member and when it is over it is over,’’ he said.
“The leadership issue is over, and I am not going to go back and revisit it. It is behind us now.’’
He said there had never been personal bitterness towards Mr Kenny.
“There were some issues relating to people who work for Enda in a professional capacity and the primacy of Oireachtas members,’’ he said.
“He has acknowledged those issues will be dealt with. ’’