Cabinet ministers show support for Taoiseach

CABINET heavyweights moved to shore up Brian Cowen’s leadership of Fianna Fáil as he faced another wave of criticism from backbenchers.

Pressure continued to build on Mr Cowen for a change of direction as M J Nolan joined his fellow Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness in expressing deep dissatisfaction at the Taoiseach’s performance.

Though he stopped short of echoing demands for Mr Cowen’s resignation, Mr Nolan said Mr Cowen’s stewardship of the party had been “a great disappointment”.

“There is serious discontent at all levels of the party,” the Fianna Fáil backbencher told KCLR radio.

Mr Nolan said there was widespread unhappiness with the Cabinet reshuffle and the elevation of Green Carlow-Kilkenny TD Mary White to a junior ministry.

The third Fianna Fáil TD in the constituency, Bobby Aylward, also expressed dissatisfaction at the ultra-cautious ministerial shake-up, but said Mr McGuinness had gone on a “solo run” with his demands for the Taoiseach to resign. In outspoken remarks, sacked junior trade minister Mr McGuinness accused Mr Cowen of being “weak”, lacking energy and direction and being guilty of putting the party ahead of the country through “tribalism”.

Cabinet ministers made a show of rallying-round the Taoiseach as they played down talk of a leadership challenge, which would require 18 Fianna Fáil TDs to put down a motion of no confidence in Mr Cowen.