Gilmore defends leadership of party

TÁNAISTE Eamon Gilmore last night defended his leadership after Labour support tumbled.

Mr Gilmore said he did not believe reports that unnamed fellow ministers had expressed concern about his performance in Cabinet.

After the latest snapshot survey of voting intentions saw Labour slump from its 19% general election tally to 12%, Mr Gilmore told a meeting of his parliamentary party in Carlow that they should brace themselves for a tough December budget.

The Tánaiste said the Government had no template to work to and must find its own way through the “unprecedented” economic situation.

“No Government wants to have to cut spending and increase revenue. But it has to be done, for the sake of our country, and for the next generation. In making those hard decisions, this Government will level with people. We will say, yes, it is going to be difficult, but we are going to get on with it.

“No previous Irish Government has faced similar circumstances.”

Mr Gilmore moved to rubbish a report that some ministers were surprised by his lack of participation in meetings. “I don’t believe anyone said those things.” He said he made a full contribution to government.

Mr Gilmore described the report as “tittle tattle” and said he would not be distracted by such talk ahead of a difficult autumn.

It will see the comprehensive spending review decide where cuts in Government spending must fall ahead of the budget where savings and taxes amounting to €4 billion need to be found.

Mr Gilmore said the decisions needed would be outside “the comfort zone of old ideas”.

The Labour leader said reform was needed, especially in social welfare as “we cannot go on as we are”.

Dublin TD Joanna Tuffy, who was one of only two deputies to vote against the party’s coalition with Fine Gael after the election, said it was now time for Labour to assert its identity more.

Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte defended Mr Gilmore, saying he was the most successful Labour leader since independence and was effective at Cabinet.

The pre-Dáil term “think-in” sees the largest ever Labour Party parliamentary group meeting, comprising of 37 TDs, 12 Senators and three MEPs.

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin is to brief the party on progress towards the budget and the spending review at the two-day event.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton will also set out ideas for reform in her department and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn will examine ideas to kick-start training and job creation.