Cowen to FF rebels: Put up or shut up

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen told his rebel backbenchers to put up or shut up if they believed he should no longer lead Fianna Fáil.

At a lengthy meeting he said there were ways for members of the parliamentary party to remove a leader and if they wanted him gone these were options available.

Mr Cowen faced criticism of his leadership and his communications, especially during last week’s denial of discussions between the Government and the IMF.

After the three-and-a-half hour meeting, the Government chief whip John Curran said the Taoiseach stood up to the challenge and informed his critics of the ways in which they could oust him.

“He clearly indicated that to deal with this in a comprehensive way there were mechanisms within the party if anybody wanted to avail of those mechanisms.

“But he clearly indicated he was leader of the party that he had a job of work to do and he was focused on the timescale ahead,” Mr Curran said.

Disgruntled members of the parliamentary party need to collect 18 signatures if they are to table a motion of no confidence in their leader. Despite threats this did not materialise and it was left to his longstanding critics to vocalise their concerns.

Thirty members of the party spoke at the meeting and seven supported the call for the Taoiseach to go.

John McGuinness said the party needed to be reformed and Sean Power called for the Taoiseach to step down.

Mary O’Rourke suggested a special meeting in early January to discuss Mr Cowen’s leadership and potential replacements but this was not agreed.

Cork north central TD Noel O’Flynn, who said he would use the meeting to stand up to Mr Cowen, said he was the only person willing for “bare knuckle” fighting. Mr Curran said the meeting was far from the confrontation threatened by Mr O’Flynn and it was business-like with most speakers supporting the Taoiseach.

“Mr Cowen is leader of Fianna Fáil, he is Taoiseach and reiterated the challenges we face,” Mr Curran said.

Mr O’Flynn said he did not shirk at the opportunity.

“I went in there as a bare knuckle boxer and that is what I was tonight,” he said. The dissatisfied TD said he was criticised his colleagues for the way in which he spoke out against the Taoiseach and publicly expressed no confidence.

“I wasn’t taking it from anybody,” he said.

Mr O’Flynn said he thought his colleagues were great but he was entitled to his personal views. And he said he had met Finance Minister Brian Lenihan on his issues with the budget and was satisfied he was making progress in protecting the state pension.

Despite the revolt against the Cabinet Mr Curran maintained the entire FF party and the two independents would support the budget irrespective of their protests this week.

He pointed to a motion proposed by Deputy Thomas Byrne and passed at the meeting which called for TDs and senators to support the budgetary efforts.

Mr Cowen and Justice Minister Dermot Ahern both addressed the confusion created by the Government’s communications strategy surrounding the IMF.