Unrest over leadership grows in Fianna Fáil

BACKBENCH REACTION:UNREST WITHIN Fianna Fáil about Taoiseach Brian Cowen's continued leadership of the party appeared to be spreading yesterday, with Dublin South East TD Chris Andrews calling on Mr Cowen to stand down.

Mr Andrews said he had previously raised concerns about Mr Cowen’s ability to communicate and lead effectively within the confines of the parliamentary party meetings.

“However, given the crisis we now face as a country, I feel I must state this publicly,” Mr Andrews said. “In light of the developments of the past week and today particularly, I have taken the difficult decision to call on Brian Cowen to stand down as leader,” he said.

Mr Andrews said negotiations should begin between all parties in an attempt to get the budget passed for the sake of the country, but if agreement could not be reached an immediate general election should take place.

Noel O’Flynn (Cork North Central) wrote to Mr Cowen asking him to stand down as party leader and Taoiseach, having already expressed concern about Mr Cowen’s leadership style and ability to communicate with the public.

“The straw which broke the camel’s back for me was the behaviour of your Government last Sunday week, the citizens of Ireland were misled, members of the parliamentary party, members of the Fianna Fáil organisation and supporters,” Mr O’Flynn said.

“There are no excuses acceptable to me for your Government being in denial all of last week. I feel betrayed and humiliated as do my own supporters and citizens of the State by you, Taoiseach, as leader of the State. The public are living in fear of the unknown; they are deeply disappointed, angry and fearful of the future for themselves and their families.”

He said Mr Cowen had lost credibility and the only honourable course of action was for him to resign after the budget, allowing a new leader of Fianna Fáil to be selected to lead the party into an election.

Seán Power (Kildare South) reiterated his criticism of Mr Cowen yesterday. “It’s no secret at this stage what I think of his leadership. He has lost credibility and he has to be replaced,” he said.

Another senior backbencher and long-term Cowen loyalist, who did not want to be named, said: “I just believe that for Brian Cowen the game is over, and I don’t say that easily.” The deputy added: “The parliamentary party will not accept going to the country with the present leadership.” A number of other TDs, speaking privately, expressed similar sentiments.

Mary O’Rourke (Longford-Westmeath) called for a meeting of the parliamentary party in January to discuss the leadership of Mr Cowen. Speaking in Athlone, she said the party needed to make a decision on who should be at the helm in the run-up to a forthcoming general election.

Willie O’Dea (Limerick East) said he had firm views on the issue of Mr Cowen’s leadership, but said a party meeting would be the most honourable way to discuss them.

Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators are scheduled to gather for their weekly parliamentary party meeting in Leinster House today.

Seán Ó Fearghail (Kildare South) said he had always supported Mr Cowen, while expressing disappointment, privately and publicly, with the way he had communicated with the public.

“Obviously he will have to be given an opportunity to decide for himself whether he wishes to continue himself and we’ll have to see if other people are going to offer themselves,” Mr Ó Fearghail said.

He said there was a “very honourable tradition in Fianna Fáil of respect for the democratically elected leader”.

Mr Ó Fearghail added: “I’m very sad about the situation. Government was seriously negligent in its approach to how it communicated with the public. It’s ironic this latest development is about a breakdown in communications between Ministers.”

Thomas Byrne (Meath East) said the Government could “turn the tables” on the Opposition by allowing a general election to take place.

Asked what his message to Mr Cowen would be, following the Green Party’s call for an election to be held in the second half of January 2011 he replied: “My message would be to go to the people now with our four-year plan, with our budget, to give the choice to the people,” Mr Byrne said. “Political considerations must be put after the national interest.”

Ned O’Keeffe (Cork East) said he stood “fully behind” the leadership of Mr Cowen, but said the Taoiseach should have allowed an election to take place. He also said he had a major problem with Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan. “We are only infuriating people further. Brian Cowen should have went for an election.”

Darragh O’Brien (Dublin North) said passing the budget was the most important issue facing the country.