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.