Lowry, Healy-Rae would not back alternative leader

REACTION:INDEPENDENT TD Michael Lowry has bolstered Brian Cowen's position by repeating that he would not support any alternative Fianna Fáil Taoiseach.

In a statement issued after yesterday’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting, Mr Lowry said his position on the leadership of the party had not changed.

His stance means that if Mr Cowen were replaced, his successor would find it difficult to muster the numbers in the Dáil to survive.

Jackie Healy-Rae, another Independent TD on whom the Government depends for its majority, also said he would withdraw support if Fianna Fáil changed its leader.

While restating his position, Mr Lowry added that it was imperative that the Dáil be dissolved and an immediate general election called, given the prevailing political instability.

Meanwhile, a motion of no confidence in Mr Cowen has been tabled by the technical group which is dominated by Sinn Féin.

However, for procedural reasons, the motion cannot be taken until the beginning of March.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin called on Fine Gael to use its Private Members’ time next Tuesday to put the motion before the Dáil.

Fine Gael said last night it would examine all options for removing “the current failed regime”.

“If and when we move a motion, we will do so in the knowledge that it can succeed,” a spokesman said.

The technical group motion states: “That Dáil Éireann has no confidence in An Taoiseach Brian Cowen who leads a Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government which has totally mismanaged the economy and sold our sovereignty to the IMF and EU, compounding the economic crisis precipitated by the governments led by his predecessor former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.”

It was submitted in the names of Mr Ó Caoláin and fellow Sinn Féin TDs Pearse Doherty, Martin Ferris, Arthur Morgan and Aengus Ó Snodaigh, as well as Finian McGrath and Maureen O’Sullivan.