PRESS CONFERENCE:TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has said he intends to lead Fianna Fáil into the general election.
Mr Cowen held a press conference yesterday evening to announce he had concluded a two-day process of individual consultation with all 70 party TDs, as well as party Senators.
He said on the basis of the process, he had come to the conclusion his leadership should continue. However, to dispel doubt and to bring certainty, he said he had taken the initiative of tabling a motion of confidence in his leadership. The vote on the motion will be taken by secret ballot.
Asked whether he was confident he had sufficient numbers, Mr Cowen said he was “confident of the outcome”. He later indicated he believed the motion would be carried.
In his opening remarks, Mr Cowen contended the most important issue he had to consider during the process was what was in the best interests of the country. He also strongly defended his record as Taoiseach and said the Government had taken very difficult decisions and knew Fianna Fáil members throughout the country were concerned about the party’s prospects at the next election.
“Having consulted with my party colleagues, and having reflected on the current and future challenges, I have come to the conclusion that I should continue to lead the party. I believe this is in the best interest of stability of the Government, the country and our party. Those who know me, know that I am not motivated by personal ambition. My decision is my deeply held belief having considered all issues and concerns brought to my attention in recent days,” he said.
He accepted some who had spoken to him had expressed concern about Fianna Fáil’s electoral prospects in the light of historically low levels of public support in opinion polls. He said that was one of the reasons he wanted to deal with the leadership issue quickly.
“I believe that any issue regarding my leadership of Fianna Fáil should be resolved immediately. I have therefore decided to place a motion of confidence in my leadership before next Tuesday’s parliamentary party meeting. The vote will be by secret ballot. By taking this initiative, I believe I am acting in the best interest of the party and its membership, and I am confident of the outcome.”
Dismissing the proposition that he should cede leadership of the party while continuing as a caretaker Taoiseach, he said: “The suggestion being made regarding a change of leadership in Fianna Fáil while I continue as Taoiseach in order to complete the tasks I have already referred to, is not one with which I concur. I do not believe it to be in the country’s interests, nor do I believe it to be in the settled collective view of my colleagues in the parliamentary party.
“Having one line of authority as a Taoiseach, and a separate line of authority in political decision-making as a leader of Fianna Fáil, is not, in my view, a good idea. It could lead to confusion and dilution of authority for the persons concerned.”
The Taoiseach’s press conference was held in a Dublin hotel shortly after 5pm yesterday. It came three days after he announced he would consult all 70 Fianna Fáil TDs to elicit their views on his leadership and the situation facing the party, a process that ended on Saturday.
He said in his opening remarks he had spent his entire adult life as a member of the party and had an abiding commitment for the party, its history and traditions. Asked whether any Cabinet member had asked him to step down, he did not directly reply, saying he had held discussions with colleagues over future prospects.
He said he had spoken to Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin a number of times over the weekend – including “quite a few times” yesterday. He said he had his admiration and respect. Asked specifically whether he would ask Mr Martin to resign if he failed to express confidence in him, Mr Cowen referred to various views of his party members.
Mr Cowen agreed he had bypassed normal party procedures, which only allow for a motion of no confidence, backed by the names of 25 per cent of the party’s TDs.
“I want to dispense with that. Let’s forget about it. There’s a political issue here, a confidence issue that I want to address. It’s important for the country and it’s important for the party. I want to put it to the parliamentary party.”
Asked whether he was confident he had the numbers, he referred to his individual conversations with the party’s TDs and Senators. “I have had discussions. I believe that this matter will be resolved on Tuesday next. I am putting my position forward because I believe it represents the settled view of the party,” he said.
He also said he had not considered resigning at any time over the past week and also argued that the vote on his leadership would not be divisive for the party.
