Coveney is not a political bruiser, says FG colleague

FINE GAEL TD Simon Coveney has been painted in a less than flattering light in a new book written by one of his own party colleagues.

Mr Coveney, seen as a party heavyweight and considered a potential future leader, represented Fine Gael on RTÉ’s debate programme, Questions and Answers, on May 21 this year.

Given that the general election was scheduled to take place just three days later, it was considered crucial that Mr Coveney perform strongly on the programme. But pitched against Mr Coveney that night was Fianna Fáil deputy leader and Finance Minister Brian Cowen.

According to Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer, Mr Cowen wiped the floor with Mr Coveney and the other panellists.

“On ‘Questions and Answers’ he [Mr Cowen] was on fire as he made short change of Coveney and the others,” Mr Buttimer writes in the new book. “We should have put a bruiser on ‘Q&A’. This was the time for a [Richard] Bruton, [Phil] Hogan or even a Charlie Flanagan. It’s a pity we lost so many of our heavy hitters in 2002.”

Mr Buttimer writes of watching the programme with Fine Gael councillor Denis “Dino” Cregan and despairing at Fine Gael’s choice of candidate for the programme.

“I watched it with Dino, and both of us were shouting at the TV,” Mr Buttimer recalls.

“Easy to do in the sitting room, but Jesus, lads, with game on and entering the last five minutes you bring on your key players to hold possession and play out the clock.

“Playing for a win is one thing. It’s not the time to introduce a gentleman. Oh, man, sorry Simon, I’m fond of you, but you’re not a bruiser.”

The book, entitled Candidate, is Mr Buttimer’s account of his campaign.