TÁNAISTE AND Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has formally declared himself a candidate for the leadership of Fianna Fáil. He is on course to become the seventh leader of the party since 1926 when nominations close at 2pm today. Stephen Collinsand Harry McGeereport.
Mr Cowen spoke yesterday about his "deep and abiding respect" for Fianna Fáil, telling political correspondents: "I value the experience not just of Cabinet members but of the whole parliamentary party. I know what this party is about. I have lived with it, I have worked with it, I have breathed it. I love this party."
The Tánaiste was proposed for the leadership by Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan and seconded by Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan. The Ministers are close confidants of Mr Cowen and there has been speculation in the party that one of them will succeed him as Tánaiste.
Mr Cowen gave no clues about the likely composition of his cabinet after he is formally elected taoiseach by the Dáil on May 7th. However, he gave a hint that he was not contemplating a major Cabinet reshuffle saying that in a Cabinet of qualified people he regarded himself as "primus inter pares" - first among equals.
He also emphasised that he intended to continue the path followed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern by ensuring that the three-party Coalition worked smoothly.
When questioned on his oft-repeated remark about the PDs in 1992: "When in doubt, leave [ them] out", he said that he had adapted his position since then to: "If in doubt, bring them in." He emphasised his own role in negotiating the coalition with the Green Party and the PDs last year.
Mr Cowen also told reporters that he had discussed the implications of the current political situation with Mr Ahern last Thursday and that he had a couple of phone conversations with the Taoiseach before Mr Ahern told him of his decision to step down.
"He indicated to me that he had been reflecting on the issue," said Mr Cowen, who continued: "I emphasise that the Taoiseach came to his own decisions."
He respected the conclusions to which Mr Ahern had come. Mr Cowen also said he expected to be selected unopposed by the party's 77 TDs on Wednesday and become leader-designate until May 7th, when he will also assume the role of Taoiseach. He said everybody was in uncharted territory because this was the first time a leader-designate would be selected in advance of the Taoiseach stepping down. However once the leadership process ended on Wednesday, he would continue in his current office until May 7th.
Mr Cowen added that after that, he would try to ensure that the Government worked collectively in the interests of the country. "The difference now is that I have to direct the Government, I have to lead the Government. I hope the confidence that has been reposed in me will be justified. I will do my very very best," he said.
He refused to be drawn on which of his predecessors as Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach he regarded as a role model. "I have admiration for all taoisigh who have served this country," he added.
Asked what he felt about being in the media spotlight in his new role, the Tánaiste said he had no problems about the intense scrutiny of his public duties but expressed the belief that standards in Irish journalism were such that his private life and his family life would be respected.
Meanwhile, Mayo TD Beverley Flynn, who has been readmitted to the party, said she considered herself to be quite close to Mr Cowen, despite the fact that he was the politician who originally proposed her expulsion from the party.
She said she felt their relationship was "100 per cent" although as she has been out of the party in recent years, she had not had much opportunity to meet him. Ms Flynn added that she was delighted to be returning to Fianna Fáil, which she described as her natural home.