Gilmore rallies the troops but massive challenges ahead

Eamon Gilmore’s speech to his parliamentary party sought to bridge a widening gap within the coalition, while at the same time asking disgruntled Labour members to put on the green jersey.

Reminding TDs and senators of where Labour had come since taking power 18 months ago, the Tánaiste left no doubt that there was more to do and a cohesive, determined approach was demanded by party members to fix the economy.

Party TDs were in a buoyant mood at the Kildare meeting. But a plethora of issues lie ahead for the party, including the children’s rights referendum, the debate on Croke Park, meeting bailout demands, reforms in social welfare and education and, of course, the budget.

Mr Gilmore mentioned the word reform 12 times, while Labour TDs and senators listened around the table at Maynooth’s Carton House.

Mistakes would be made, he admitted, but lessons would be learnt.

“We are also moving from an initial crisis management phase into a new period in the life of the Government. A period where we need to consolidate the gains we have made, and to shape the recovery,” he said, adding that the country was already 75% through adjustments it had to make to the public finances.

But he admitted that “people are feeling worn out, frustrated and, frankly, worried about what’s next”.

However, his insistence that Ireland is no longer the “sick man” of Europe and the Government was entering a “new phase” may not wash with TDs who are getting it in the neck from their constituents.

Outspoken party chairman Colm Keaveney even went as far as to recently suggest that TDs were preparing for a snap election, after €130m in health cuts were announced.

While a return to the old vision of the left is not an option, Labour’s social agenda will not be found wanting, Mr Gilmore said: “There are some on the left of European politics who see our role as simply to conserve. To protect the institutions of the post-war, welfare state... But Labour is not a conservative party. Labour is a progressive party.”

This insistence on reform shaped the speech, in a week where debate focused on the Croke Park deal and the health services.

Even Mr Gilmore’s concession that there were things “we cannot do, such as burn our bridges on the international bond markets”, were a far cry from his Labour’s way, not Frankfurt’s, pre-election mantra.

In essence, the Labour leader was rallying his troops for the return to Leinster House next week where not only the protesters will be chanting outside but where some of the most prominent opposition to budget decisions may come from inside the gates and within the party