Cowen supporters reflect on ‘disaster’

LOYAL supporters of Taoiseach Brian Cowen during the failed coup have admitted they no longer know if he is the man to lead the party.

Backbenchers have said they heeded the call of former minister Micheál Martin to reflect on the vote they cast in the confidence motion and consider if Mr Cowen should be replaced.

Deputy Johnny Brady said he and his fellow deputies were annoyed by the attempt to appoint six short-term ministers because it would have achieved nothing.

“I would have gone into (Tuesday’s) vote as a 50:50 situation. It was close but in that case I always would support the party leader.

“If I had to do something else in the morning, from what I am getting told from supporters it would be a different story,” he said.

Carlow Kilkenny TD Bobby Aylward went into the parliamentary party vote claiming that loyalty to his party and its leader was not something he was willing to set aside.

However, he said the response from his closest friends and supporters in the wake of the attempt to appoint new ministers had left him in doubt.

“It was a disaster. What happened changed everything and we are now back to the start. It is a case of two steps forward and three steps back.

“I definitely will reflect on the whole thing. It is quite serious; as a party we are at a crossroads and its very survival is in question. I don’t know if we can get anything out of this.

“I am going to consult with my colleagues and my closest friends and definitely reflect on the leadership and where we are at the moment as a party,” he said.

Charlie O’Connor of Dublin South West also firmly backed Mr Cowen when the confidence motion was tabled. However, he said after the events at the end of the week he did not know what he should do.

Mr O’Connor said “obviously the debate had reopened”. He had taken on board Mr Martin’s comments and would reflect on who should lead the party.

Michael Mulcahy, who spoke in favour of Mr Cowen at the parliamentary party meeting, told Dublin radio station Q102 that the Taoiseach should think about stepping down.

He said he should stay as leader of the Government but asked him to consider resigning as president of Fianna Fáil.

Fellow Dublin deputy Darragh O’Brien, another firm backer of the Taoiseach last weekend, said he was no longer sure if he should stay or go. “I am very disappointed at how the last 24 hours worked out. It has been a very difficult time and I don’t think it needed to get to that,” he said.

The TDs spoke out after Mr Martin called on those loyal to Mr Cowen to think again. “People know my viewpoints and I have made those known to the parliamentary party,” he said.

“If others have different views, they should do the appropriate thing. Obviously the party are reflecting on what happened. But it’s never too late to do the right thing.”

His constituency colleague Michael McGrath called on his fellow TDs to put the divisions of the last fortnight aside and unite behind Mr Martin.

Mr McGrath put it up to Cabinet members who had not already spoken out to convince Mr Cowen it was time to go. “The onus rests with those who supported the Taoiseach in the vote of confidence on Tuesday,” said Mr McGrath.

“Senior party figures who have the Taoiseach’s trust and confidence should go to him and ask him to do what I believe, and I think what he will accept ultimately, will be in the best interests of the country and the party, and that is to vacate the position of leadership.”