Gilmore struggles to rally Labour troops

Embattled Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore put the Labour Party on a war footing as he faced a fresh rebellion on child benefit cuts and a backlash against “bullyboy” tactics.

As the budget aftermath continued to rock the Coalition, Mr Gilmore denied that senior Fine Gael and Labour ministers were reduced to “squabbling” at the Cabinet table over the Government’s stance on the looming €3.1bn payment on the Anglo debts.

Despite Mr Gilmore’s appeal for party unity in the wake of the walkout by Labour chairman Colm Keaveney, rebel senators railed against “strong-arm” and “bullying” tactics by the leadership as they threatened to vote against cuts to child benefit in the Oireachtas on Wednesday.