Kenny: Decision due to shortage of donors
Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Fianna Fáil national executive on Thursday night that the party’s annual fundraiser at the races would not go ahead this year.
This was widely interpreted as a clear sign that Mr Cowen wished to move the party away from the sleaze and donation controversies which have dogged Fianna Fáil in the past.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Kenny said it was an indication of the “serious reservations” Mr Cowen held about the nature of some Fianna Fáil fundraising.
But the Fine Gael leader also suggested the decision to scrap the tent may have been for more practical reasons — namely a shortage of developers willing to donate money.
Mr Kenny prefaced his remarks by saying the decision on the tent was an internal matter for Fianna Fáil, but he then added: “I do think it’s an indication of the serious reservations that Brian Cowen has had himself about fundraising, and the kinds of fundraising Fianna Fáil have been involved in.
“It may also be an indication that moneyed builders may not be as prevalent in the future as they were in the past… and indeed, possibly that some of the persons who were associated with the fundraising in the past might not be as welcome now as they were in previous years.”
Mr Cowen said yesterday the tent had run its course, stating it had “made its contribution” and he wouldn’t be drawn further on his reasons for scrapping it.
Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, who as finance minister attended the tent in years past, described the event as “a pain in the arse”.
“I felt obliged and had to go there for half a day or so when I was minister; you kind of were expected to so do. But I actually like when I go racing to go racing and betting. I prefer to do that. And I found it [the tent] a terrible pain in the arse. I can use that type of language now because this has been officially sanctioned by my friend and colleague, the Taoiseach,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Cowen will be in Cardiff today to attend the Heineken Cup final. Prior to the match he will meet Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan to discuss Irish-Welsh relations.
