THERE IS “serious discontent” in the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party at every level, one of the party’s backbench TDs claimed yesterday.
Carlow-Kilkenny TD MJ Nolan said he did not expect Fianna Fáil to be back in government after the next election, adding “in fact I know they won’t be back”.
In an interview on local radio station KCLR96FM, Mr Nolan said of Taoiseach Brian Cowen: “He has been a source of great disappointment to date.”
Responding yesterday in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Mr Cowen told reporters: “MJ is giving his opinion, but I’m not going to draw any conclusions from that.Deputies are giving their opinion and I’ve stated mine, and I have to get on with the job I have.”
Asked if he would discipline former minister of state John McGuinness, who spoke out against his leadership after the reshuffle, Mr Cowen said the Government had to get on with its job.
“The reshuffle has been announced. Government has a job to do, we have to get on with it,” he said
Limerick West TD John Cregan, who was widely expected to be promoted in the reshuffle, told The Irish Times: "I've expressed my personal disappointment, but I'm absolutely loyal to the leader. I think the Taoiseach will fully understand. If I wasn't in a position to express my disappointment in a democratic party we'd be in a bad way."
Waterford TD Brendan Kenneally told local radio station WLR FM there were “a lot of unhappy people” in the party at present.
“I’m quite sure the Taoiseach is getting that message as well – and I hope he will heed it because I consider myself to be a good friend of his and there are others also who are friends of his who are not happy with what’s going on.”
Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath told Newstalk radio that an informal group of Fianna Fáil backbenchers had been meeting representatives of industry and the unions at Leinster House.
"We have had two or three meetings in the precincts of Leinster House and not in the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party room, but it doesn't matter where they are," he told the Lunchtime with Eamon Keaneshow.
“The reason I wanted it set up was because I have been trying and trying, and bringing business people to meet Ministers and officials and, most times, the meetings are put off and put off.
“The Government are so overwhelmed dealing with the banking situation and the other issues that are so serious to this country and we accept that, but we, collectively, as Fianna Fáil backbenchers, feel that we can meet them in a group.”
Known as the “Lemass Forum”, the committee reportedly also included Deputy Sean Connick, prior to his becoming Minister of State for Fisheries and Forestry this week, as well as Máire Hoctor and John McGuinness.