Some backbenchers urge Cowen to consider EU aid

FF PARTY MEETING:A NUMBER of Fianna Fáil backbenchers told Taoiseach Brian Cowen that Ireland should consider availing of financial assistance from the EU at yesterday's parliamentary party meeting.

Former minister of state and ex-chief whip Tom Kitt said he told Mr Cowen the party would have to act in the interests of the citizens of Ireland. “We have to do what is right. Obviously we strongly support [Minister for Finance] Brian Lenihan in his efforts, but we should be prepared to look at all options, including the option of availing of assistance from the EU,” he said. “It’s all about the euro now. Fianna Fáil will have to do what’s right by the Irish people.”

Laois-Offaly TD Seán Fleming advocated borrowing money from Europe to cover the costs of the multi-annual budgetary plan. “I said that in my opinion we should be borrowing money to finance the four-year plan directly from the EU at a much lower rate than would be charged on the international market. I would call that just pure pragmatism,” Mr Fleming said.

Sources said a number of TDs, including Darragh O’Brien (Dublin North), were supportive of Mr Kitt’s stance. Mr O’Brien could not be contacted last night.

Former minister of state Seán Power “took a swipe” at Mr Cowen, according to one TD who did not want to be named. Mr Power reportedly complained it was impossible to explain to people how the adjustment in the budget had jumped from a projected €3 billion to €6 billion.

Government chief whip John Curran said “about 10 or 15” members of the parliamentary party asked questions, when he briefed reporters later. “Apart from those who asked specific questions, obviously the other side of the coin is a number of people made specific comments, and certainly there was endorsement for the actions that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance were taking at the moment,” Mr Curran said. He said “endorsement” also applied to the delivery of the four-year plan and the budget, as well as the strategy adopted going in to the meeting of euro zone finance ministers in Brussels last night. Asked if Mr Cowen had given any clarity about whether the State would apply for financial assistance from Europe for the banks, Mr Curran said: “At the moment, the issue is the credibility of the whole euro zone and it’s far more than an Irish issue at this point in time.”