Fianna Fáil ministers today appeared at odds over the leadership of Brian Cowen as the Taoiseach takes soundings from his TDs before he makes a final decision on whether or not to lead the party into the forthcoming election.
One of three senior ministers that have emerged as leadership contenders called for a speedy resolution to the issue.
Speaking at the RDS, Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin said she believed the consultation process “should be quick” and that it should be completed today.
“I don’t think it’s in the best interests of anybody – either the Taoiseach or indeed the party – to have it carrying on over the weekend,” Ms Hanafin said. She has already spoken with Mr Cowen and said she would do so again this afternoon.
Asked if anyone had approached her about standing for the leadership, Ms Hanafin refused to answer but told RTÉ there was “level of unease” in the party that Mr Cowen “needs to ascertain” for himself.
Minister of State Conor Lenihan this morning said people in his constituency wanted a change of leader.
Speaking in Dublin, Mr Lenihan said: “Of those that I have spoken to to date in my own constituency of Tallaght, pretty much the majority of the people feel it’s appropriate that we should have a change of leadership now, ahead of the general election.
“As I say, I haven’t made up my mind on that matter,” said Mr Lenihan, who is brother of the Minister for Finance.
The Tánaiste this afternoon repeated her support for the Taoiseach, "his ability and his acumen", and said Mr Cowen should be given time to consult with the parliamentary party.
Mary Coughlan said the party would like to deal with the leadership issue "very quickly" but noted there was a process within Fianna Fáil and that no motion of no confidence had been put to the party.
"People have gone out to canvass, and they are finding it very difficult, and we appreciate that . . . but I'm fervently of the view that Fianna Fáil will continue to have a seismic and considerable role in political life in this country."
Questioned as to whether three Cabinet colleagues with an interest in the leadership; thought to be Brian Lenihan, Mary Hanafin, and Micheál Martin, should declare their position, the Minister said none had, in any way, intimated they were going to be disloyal to Mr Cowen, adding: "We're working in a vacuum, we're dealing with supposition."
Pressed on the issue, Ms Coughlan said the issue was a matter for the ministers concerned. Commenting on the lack of endorsement for the Taoiseach from them, she said: "They're probably not in a position to be interviewed or to be asked about this."
Minister for Social Protection Eamon Ó Cuív also offered Mr Cowen his support. “As far as I’m concerned Brian Cowen is the leader of the party,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned he has my full support as leader.
“And if I didn’t have confidence in Brian Cowen obviously it would be invidious for me to stay as a Cabinet minister in this Government,” Mr Ó Cuív said.
Speaking in Cork today, Minister for Enterprise Batt O'Keeffe said believed Mr Cowen would lead the party into the election.
Mr O'Keeffe said he had "a general chit-chat" with the Taoiseach yesterday prior to the parliamentary party meeting. Asked if he advised Mr Cowen to stand down at any stage, the Minister for Enterprise said: "No, not as such - I didn't advise him to go, of course I didn't."
"I think we're very happy that there's a very large majority within the party who still support Brian Cowen fully," adding he believed Mr Cowen would lead Fianna Fáil into the election. "I have every confidence in Brian Cowen, I think he's an outstanding leader, he has been superb as Taoiseach in terms of the three parties that were involved in government," he said.
Asked if would urge ministers considering a leadership challenge to declare their intention, the Minister said it was not for him to do so. "All I can declare is that I have absolute full confidence in the Taoiseach."
Mr O'Keeffe also dismissed speculation surrounding a heave against Mr Cowen yesterday. "There was a massive spin going on the night before, there were indications that there were meetings and there were large gatherings and Ministers were involved, and there was no evidence that ever happened - at some stage it became quite clear to us that somebody was trying to spin the Taoiseach out of office as quickly as possible."
"Ministers are continuing to contact members of the parliamentary party about a possible move," a Fianna Fáil,
who declined to be named, said today.
Any challenger for the leadership requires at least 18 signatures to table a motion of no-confidence in Mr Cowen at the next parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday and the support of more than half the 74 TDs to topple the leader.
Green Party leader John Gormley said the uncertainty around the leadership of Fianna Fáil was creating instability for the Government.
Some Cabinet colleagues expected Mr Cowen to stand down as party leader at yesterday’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting but instead he told the meeting he would assess the position in the coming days.
Afterwards Mr Cowen's supporters maintained that he intended to stay on after the consultation process and lead Fianna Fáil into the election. However, some senior TDs told The Irish Times last night they expected the Taoiseach to stand down rather than expose the party to a bitter leadership contest on the eve of the election.
Yesterday, Mr Cowen refused to be drawn on the prospect that he might resign and said he would discuss the leadership with members of the party.
The Taoiseach said he was the democratically elected leader and would listen to the wishes of the party and assess them for himself.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, who is regarded as one of the favourites to succeed Mr Cowen, last night welcomed the consultation process.
“It is important that members use this opportunity to have their say on the future of the party,” he said.
Sinn Féin has tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government and Fine Gael and the Labour Party would be likely to do the same if the Coalition tried to remain in office after a Fianna Fáil change of leader.