LEADER'S CAMP:SUPPORTERS OF Enda Kenny in Fine Gael yesterday put on a show of strength to demonstrate that he has sufficient backing to win today's motion of confidence in his leadership.
Some 21 TDs and Senators, led by his chief strategist Phil Hogan, converged on the plinth of Leinster House shortly after 5pm yesterday.
Mr Hogan claimed that the numbers who have publicly pledged for Mr Kenny exceeded the 35 votes needed from the party’s parliamentary party of 70: 51 Dáil deputies, 15 Senators and four MEPS.
“Statements issued in favour of Enda Kenny are already in excess of the quota. What we want to see now is a decisive result to ensure that we have a strong leader in Enda Kenny,” said Mr Hogan.
He was flanked by deputies Joe Carey; Dinny McGinley; James Reilly; Seán Barrett; Jimmy Deenihan; Tom Sheahan; Bernard Durkan; Catherine Byrne; John O’Mahony; Michael Ring; Shane McEntee; Frank Feighan; John Perry; Paul Kehoe; Sen Liam Twomey; Sen Paddy Burke; Sen Frances Fitzgerald; Sen Joe O’Reilly; and Sen Maurice Cummins. A number of supporters who pledged support were absent.
One of the TDs said that this was because the press call had been hastily arranged and not all supporters were available within the short time available.
The explanation did not prevent new doubts being cast over the intentions of some Kenny supporters, namely Longford deputy James Bannon, who earlier pledged support for the Fine Gael leader. Contacted later, Mr Bannon specifically declined to express support for Mr Kenny saying only that he would vote in the “best interests of the party”.
Asked if the declarations for Richard Bruton by Kieran O’Donnell and Charlie Flanagan had caused immense damage to Mr Kenny’s chances, Mr Hogan said: “It’s laughable the spin that’s going on.