A PROMINENT Government backbencher questioned Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s leadership of Fianna Fáil at last night’s party meeting.
Seán Power of Kildare South, a former minister of state who has criticised the administration in recent times, raised the leadership issue after Mr Cowen had briefed TDs and Senators about economic issues.
Mr Power said his remarks were prompted by a reference of Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey’s last week to the general election taking place in 2012.
“I said very few people outside the party room believe we’ll have to wait that long for an election. If people are honest with themselves, they would accept the election was imminent,” Mr Power said. “I said the biggest decision we had to make was whether the Taoiseach was the best person to lead us into the next election. We couldn’t deny that this was a matter that had to be discussed.”
A number of those present confirmed Mr Power asked Mr Cowen if he thought he was the right man to lead Fianna Fáil into the next election. Mr Power said it was vital the party made plans for an election.
Government chief whip John Curran said Mr Cowen got a round of applause 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.
Mr Curran said the Taoiseach said there were procedures for addressing any difficulties that people might experience with the party leadership. Others present said Mr Cowen said the matter had been raised before by Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness and he thought it had been addressed.
Cork North Central TD Noel O’Flynn called on Mr Dempsey to ensure adequate supplies of salt were in place in the event of another severe winter.
