Veteran TD O’Rourke says Cowen’s wife should tell him ‘it’s not worth it’ in wake of ‘shock and awe’ poll

BRIAN COWEN’S wife should tell him “it’s not worth it” and persuade him to step down from office, according to veteran Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke.

After a “shock and awe” poll showing the party could have fewer Dáil seats than Sinn Féin next year, there are growing calls from Fianna Fáil backbenchers for a change of leadership between Tuesday’s budget and Christmas.

The party has dropped to a record low level of 13% which would translate to the loss of 60 seats in the election promised for the new year, from 78 down to 18-20.

The poll indicates the Dáil could have a left wing majority of Sinn Féin, Independents and Labour. But Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny warned yesterday that “this is not the time for a hard left Government”.

Support for the Taoiseach has fallen to a shocking low of 8%.

“How can you envisage a general election with a leader at that percentage,” asked Ms O’Rourke yesterday who would support her nephew, Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan, in a leadership challenge.

“It’s shock and awe with this miserable poll for us,” said the Longford Westmeath TD who is arranging a special meeting to discuss the leadership issue.

“I envisage myself in Mary Cowen’s boots... saying listen Brian it’s not worth it. And he saying you’re right,” she told RTÉ radio.

“I don’t think within himself can he have any good feeling about the party the way it has all turned out for him.”

Former Chief Whip, Tom Kitt, said there must be a change of leader before a general election expected in February or March.

“Time is running out but I still think that would be possible before January. It can be done,” said the Dublin South TD.

Cork North Central TD Noel O’Flynn described the poll results as a “dreadful” and a change of leadership is needed.

He said every Fianna Fáil seat in the country is vulnerable and the next month will see a raft of resignations from the party: “The busiest department in Dáil Eireann now is the one stop show where people are going in and making appointments to talk about their entitlements and pensions,” he said.

“I would hope that FF as a brand name, at some stage in the future, would be able to regain the confidence and the support of the Irish nation.”

Michael Kennedy of Dublin North said the Taoiseach has “not connected” with the public.

“In the better interest of Fianna Fáil we do need a new leader once the budgetary issues have been passed and are out of the way,” he said.

The poll results show Fine Gael — at 32% — would result in 66-68 seats for Fine Gael according to analyst Noel Whelan, with 46 for the Labour Party — at 24% — and 15 for Sinn Féin and a further 15 for Independents.

This could potentially lead to a left-wing majority. But Labour Party leader, Eamon Gilmore, said his party doesn’t intend to go into Government with Sinn Féin.

“I don’t think it’s desirable that smaller parties would hold the balance of power. I think what the country needs is a strong and stable government. I think the best way to achieve that is to have a Labour-led government,” he said.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the poll shows “this is not a time for a hard left Government” but the sooner the country gets rid of this Government the better.