The party may engage in some reflection before electing a new leader, writes Alison O'Connor, Political Reporter
People who have suffered huge personal trauma are often advised not to make major, life-changing decisions in the immediate aftermath. Fine Gael deputies, still reeling from the shock of their defeat in the general election, appear to be mindful of this advice as they face making choices about the future direction of the party.
The realisation of their situation, according to the Cork TD, Mr Bernard Allen, "is like coming out of the trenches in the first World War and all the leadership being gone". Of the 18 high-profile TDs on Fine Gael's front bench 11 are gone.
The parliamentary party will gather in Leinster House on Friday at 2 p.m. The first item on the agenda is to welcome the new deputies: the second is the forthcoming Seanad election. Finally the election of a new leader and the future direction of the party will be discussed.
This will be the first of many important discussions which those remaining in the ranks hope will lead to the revival of the party. A number of names have been mentioned as possible leadership contenders - Richard Bruton, Simon Coveney, Phil Hogan, Enda Kenny, Gay Mitchell and Denis Naughton.
The former leader, Mr John Bruton, has said he has no ambitions for the job but is "available" to serve if called upon.
Mr Mitchell and Mr Naughton appear to be the first two out of the traps, but it would overstate the situation to describe any of the campaigns as fully fledged. A number of Fine Gael TDs said yesterday they had not yet spoken to colleagues since the weekend, except to make sympathy calls to those who had not made it; all claimed they had not been canvassed for their support in a leadership contest.
The idea of skipping a generation is clearly appealing to many. The names of Mr Naughton (28) and Mr Coveney (29) were mentioned by a number of people who believed they had the makings of a good leader.
However, it was emphasised by all that the contest must not be divisive and that the new leader, who faced a very tough task, would need full support. A number of TDs mentioned the possibility of a caretaker leader, either to ask Mr Michael Noonan to hold on or to appoint someone for a set period.
A senior party figure, Senator Maurice Manning, pointed out yesterday that it was far too soon for Fine Gael to start a leadership contest.
"The party needs space and reflection before it decides on its next leader," he said. "It is time to slow down and not be pressurised by artificial deadlines."
There were many urgent and immediate issues to be resolved before such a contest could take place, he said, including deciding on the strategy for the Seanad election in July.
The type of electoral system must also be decided on and whether Fine Gael's grassroots are likely to be given any role in selecting Mr Noonan's successor as voted by delegates at the party's ardfheis in February.
"What the party now needs, and needs urgently, is for some senior figure to take control of events, whether that be Michael Noonan or some figure mandated by Friday's parliamentary party meeting," Mr Manning said.
"If this is not done we risk descending into hastily taken decisions which may do long-term damage."
One TD said that on June 6th , the first day of the new Dáil, it would present the wrong image for Fine Gael not to have a leader to nominate as Taoiseach. However, others felt this was a relatively minor problem in comparison with the mammoth task facing the party.
Mr Gay Mitchell, a former minister of State, said yesterday he was thinking about going forward for the leadership and it was important the new leader be Dublin-based. "I'm taking advice and looking at the task that needs to be done. I will be declaring my decision soon," he said.
Mr Enda Kenny, from Mayo, did not agree that a leader based in the capital was necessary. "It's about who can rally people; who can mend fences," he said.
Mr Simon Coveney said it was unlikely that he would be the next leader although he did not rule it out.