TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen said last night he intends to lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election.
Mr Cowen gave his clearest public statement to date that he has no intention of stepping down as Fianna Fáil leader ahead of the election.
He also strongly rejected speculation that he was going to issue a statement about his position this week.
“The only statement you will hear from me is that I’m determined get on with leading this Government. I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved thus far in difficult circumstances.
“We have done what we set out to do this autumn, which was to do a four-year plan, get the monies in place on the basis of what was required when we were out of the markets, and now we have a Budget . . . From my point of view yes, I will lead Fianna Fáil into the next election,” he told RTÉ.
His responsibility as Taoiseach, he said, was to instil a sense of confidence in the country and its people.
“This country is not, as the Labour Party say, banjaxed. It’s not an economic corpse. There are 1.8 million people going to work tomorrow and they will work harder tomorrow for less than they did before,” he said.
Yesterday, backbenchers opposed to Mr Cowen continuing as Fianna Fáil leader privately conceded that only six to seven TDs are willing to sign a motion of no confidence in his leadership.
Under party rules, a motion of no confidence in the leader would require the signature of at least 18 of the 70 Fianna Fáil TDs.
A TD who is opposed to Mr Cowen, and who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that despite widespread unhappiness and unease within the parliamentary party about Mr Cowen’s leadership, there seemed to be little enthusiasm for a heave among the party’s deputies.
The completion of the Budget may change the situation, said the TD, who also said there was a view within the party that an early leadership bid would favour Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan. He added that Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin would be seen as the favourite in the event of a contest after the next general election.
A number of other TDs contacted by The Irish Times yesterday were divided on the question of whether Mr Cowen would lead the party into the election. One view was that it would be pointless to consider a change in leadership, especially with an election early in the new year.
However, another TD said there was a “big group in the middle ground who would probably like to see a change of leader”.