FF backbenchers hold policy meetings without Taoiseach

FIANNA Fáil backbenchers are holding policy meetings without the involvement of the Taoiseach or senior ministers in a move that further undermines Brian Cowen’s authority.

Tension has emerged over the recently established “Lemass Forum”, which is driven by those most dissatisfied with Mr Cowen’s leadership in light of this week’s cautious reshuffle.

Pressure has risen on the Taoiseach after outspoken critic John McGuinness demanded Mr Cowen quit for the good of the country and made a threat to vote against his leader in the Dáil if the opposition put down a no confidence motion.

Mr McGuinness also accused the Taoiseach of lacking “passion, leadership and energy”.

However, the discontent among Fianna Fáilers did not seem strong enough to force a full blown heave against Mr Cowen.

But a new forum for deputies to thrash out their own policy agenda, similar to the British Conservative’s 1922 Committee, was seen by some as a backbench shot across the Taoiseach’s bows.

Ex-junior trade minister Mr McGuinness, who was sacked from the Government last year, said he had told Mr Cowen of his concerns face-to-face.

“I told him that he was showing weak leadership and that he was weak in his response to the plight of small businesses and indeed to the whole response to the public sector reform,” Mr McGuinness told KCLR radio, stressing that it was now time to “look beyond the leadership” of Mr Cowen.

Mr McGuinness insisted he was not interested in the top job and refused to back anyone else for it.

The Taoiseach tried to dismiss Mr McGuinness’s comments as he attended an EU summit in Brussels: “I obviously refute and reject the contentions he makes. Obviously as he says himself, he’s expressing a personal opinion.