Backbenchers snub Cowen’s offer

THE Taoiseach was snubbed by a significant number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers who turned down his offer to meet with them to discuss his leadership.

A text message was sent out on Thursday evening urging those who doubted Brian Cowen to make contact with his private secretary and arrange an appointment to meet him.

But many had travelled to their constituencies around the country yesterday and chose to either speak to him by phone, wait until next week or ignore the invite altogether.

The Fianna Fáil press office said it would not be giving details of how many discussions took place between the leader and disgruntled party troops yesterday.

One backbencher said Mr Cowen made contact with some deputies before they had a chance to get in touch with him.

Some believed the exercise was futile because it is up to a senior minister to make a move against Mr Cowen before they can put their vote to a confidence motion.

Cork North-Central TD Noel O’Flynn said he would not be meeting Mr Cowen because he has already made his views on his leadership known in writing.

Christy O’Sullivan claimed he had told Mr Cowen that he could rely on his backing.

“I spoke to the Taoiseach and had a frank and full discussion with him. I outlined to him the concerns of people who had rung me in the past few days,” said the Cork South West TD.

“As far as I’m concerned no-one has come forward to challenge him and as long as he is leader, I will be supporting him,” he said.

Dublin North’s Michael Kennedy said he would be meeting Mr Cowen to tell him to step aside for the good of the party.

“It does not give me any satisfaction to say he should be removed as leader, but in the interest of Fianna Fáil going into the next election we need a new leader,” he said.

He believed it would take just a week to get a new leader in place: “There has to be a resignation, there has to be a vacancy, but the normal process is that the chairman would call for nominations, there would be a date selected to vote in the new leader,” he said.

His constituency colleague, Darragh O’Brien said: “Brian Cowen has done nothing wrong.”

He believes a general election will take place in March: “We’ve had four or five discussions over the past few months with regard to leadership, it doesn’t do us any good.”

Niall Collins of Limerick West said Mr Cowen could face down any of challenge from an opponent.

Former Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue said his support lies with the incumbent leader because there is no contest. Speaking on Radio Kerry, he wouldn’t be drawn further on what he would do if there was a leadership contest.