Revolt not likely despite ‘absolute failure’

A shell-shocked Fianna Fáil backbencher described party leader Brian Cowen as an “absolute failure” after an opinion poll showed support for the party has dropped to an historically low level.

But a revolt against the Taoiseach is unlikely when a vote of confidence takes place in the Dáil on Tuesday with Fianna Fáil deputies avoiding the prospect of a general election in which the party would lose half its seats.

Reacting with disbelief to poll results showing they have dropped to an historic low of 17%, many Fianna Fáil TDs said they live in hope that an economic pick-up will change their fortunes ahead of the next general election in 2012.