Leadership crisis leaves party TDs between a rock and a hard place

THE staggering collapse in Fianna Fáil support under Taoiseach Brian Cowen leaves party TDs in a massive quandary.

The party has been abandoned and Mr Cowen humiliated by voters.

On one hand, there is little doubt that many Fianna Fáil TDs would prefer a new leader, someone with better communication skills and a more public-friendly demeanour.