The Minister for Tourism today said there was no appetite for a leadership move against the Taoiseach and claimed a backbencher criticising him was speaking alone.
Mary Hanafin's comments come after prominent Fianna Fáil backbencher Seán Power again questioned the Taoiseach's leadership today after raising the issue at a party meeting last night.
“There was not a group of people lined up behind him [Mr Power]. People who might have been outspoken in the past did not speak out against the Taoiseach,” Ms Hanafin said.
“In fact, they did the exact opposite. They said this is the time to stick together, this is the time to give leadership and this is the time to enable people to work on the budget and not be distracted by it.”
Mr Power, a former minister of state who has criticised the administration in recent times, brought up the leadership issue at the party meeting last night after Brian Cowen had briefed TDs and Senators about economic issues.
Mr Power had said his remarks were prompted by a reference of Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey’s comments last week about the general election taking place in 2012.
Speaking today, Mr Power said the hope that accompanied Mr Cowen’s appointment to office had turned to despair and there was deep concern about his performance.
"I appreciate that he is trying to lead the country at a very, very difficult time. But people have advised him on numerous occasions that he should explain clearly to the public the seriousness of the situation that we're in and to explain why he's doing what he's doing, why he's making particular decisions he's making. Just to explain exactly to the people. But he's decided not to do that," Mr Power said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
“And he hasn’t communicated or connected with the people. And I believe, myself, that he’s haunted by his period as minister for finance.”
The backbencher claimed a number of colleagues across the country share his feelings. “There’s plenty of support amongst colleagues. I know some of them find it difficult to get up out of loyalty, they feel that they have to support the Taoiseach. I think in their heart of hearts, many of them will admit that we need a new leader facing into the next general election,” he said.
Commenting on Mr Power's comments, Minister for Social Protection Eamon Ó Cuív said it was time to end "personality politics" and instead concentrate on the major problems the State was facing.
In July, Mr Cowen vowed to continue as Fianna Fáil leader amid reports of backbench discontent, claiming the party had been extraordinarily disciplined. Mr Power then told Mr Cowen at a breakfast meeting that people were disappointed, to varying degrees, with his performance.
The Kildare South TD previously expressed concerns about Mr Cowen’s leadership during the summer, along with fellow rebel backbenchers Mattie McGrath and Noel O’Flynn.
Mr McGrath - expelled from the parliamentary party for abstaining from voting on the Wildlife Amendment Bill which outlawed the country’s only stag hunt with hounds - then branded Mr Cowen and Green Party chief John Gormley weak leaders.
Cork North Central TD Mr O’Flynn said he was extremely worried about the party’s popularity ratings.
Mr Cowen’s leadership was further called into question after a poor performance in a live radio interview after a late night at the Fianna Fáil think-in in Galway.
The Taoiseach also suffered a blow last month after Independent Galway TD Noel Grealish withdrew his support for the coalition as he distanced himself from swingeing health cuts in the west.
However, Government chief whip John Curran said Mr Cowen got a round of applause at last night's meeting after responding to Mr Power by telling him he had work to do and was committed to delivering it.
“Sean Power briefly raised the [leadership] issue and nobody else raised it. The bulk of the discussion was around economic issues and how we were going to deal with them in the coming term,” Mr Curran said.
Additional reporting PA
