Labour should avoid leadership election, says Penrose

Labour chairman Willie Penrose has said that he believes the party should avoid a leadership election and pick a "consensus candidate" to lead the party over the coming days.

“I don’t believe chasing around the country for about four or five weeks is a productive use of time,” Mr Penrose told a press conference in Dublin on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Penrose, who is chairman of the parliamentary party, indicated he did not intend to nominate or second any candidate.

“It’s appropriate that I remain neutral. I have indicated quite clearly my view that I would like to see a consensus candidate emerge,” Penrose said.

Potential candidates for the Labour leadership are taking soundings following the resignation of Joan Burton on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Brendan Howlin, who party sources say is the TD most likely to emerge as a consensus candidate, indicated his interest in the post but said he would wait until after the weekend to make his decision.

Limerick TD Jan O'Sullivan on Thursday said she would inform her colleagues about her intention when the parliamentary party meets next Tuesday.

The Tipperary TD and former minister for the environment Alan Kelly is believed to want to contest the leadership, but under Labour's rules he will have to secure a seconder from among the party's six remaining TDs.

Neutral

However, with Mr Penrose and Ms Burton saying they will remain neutral, the pool of potential seconders is small.

Mr Kelly declined to say on Thursday if he had already secured a seconder, or if he had sought one yet. “Everyone is talking to everyone,” he said.

“The process will begin over the weekend and when the process begins obviously positions will become quite clear,” he said.

Labour on Thursday published a Bill which would require Irish Water to reimburse people who have paid their water charges if the Dáil votes - as contained in the programme for government - to suspend water charges.

The Bill stipulates that all charges would have to be refunded within six months by Irish Water. Mr Penrose said it would cost some €125-130 million.

“We can’t have a situation where people who have complied with the law of the land are left feeling mugged,” Mr Penrose said.

He said if customers were not refunded when the charges were suspended he would launch a legal challenge. “I already have the plenary summons drafted,” the Labour TD, who is also a barrister, said.