Fianna Fáil backbenchers in committee move

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was today urged to listen to his Fianna Fáil backbenchers in the run up to the next General Election after it emerged they were forming a committee designed to have their concerns taken on board.

The body is being set up in a bid to give TDs better access to the decision makers in Cabinet, allow for votes on policy and an opportunity for discussion rather than simply notice of decisions.

One of those leading the move to give TDs more say in Government, Dun Laoghaire TD Barry Andrews, said the motivation behind the group was not to stir up trouble.

“The meetings of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party can be slightly unfocussed from time to time and the criticism really is that backbenchers are sometimes a half-tolerated inconvenience,” he told RTE Radio.

“I think that too many of our meetings consist of Government explanations rather than real discussion. It can be formulaic and a set-piece, we never have any votes on policy.”

It is the second sign of tension within Government ranks in as many days after the Progressive Democrats two most senior TDs Tánaiste Mary Harney and Justice Minister Michael McDowell were forced to deny reports of a leadership struggle.

Loosely mimicking the powerful backbench group in the British Conservative Party known as the 1922 Committee, Fianna Fáil leaders will now have to contend with an organised internal pressure group.

But Seamus Kirk, chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, welcomed the initiative.

“I think it is important that we look at it from the point of view – any new initiative will this energise, will it bring positivity to our thinking as a parliamentary party?” he asked.

“They’re probably saying to themselves how can we as individual members of the parliamentary party make a greater contribution to the overall party effort, to get the policy position right to energise the parliamentary and energise the wider Fianna Fáil party in the country to prepare the position for the next election.”

It is understood 16 TDs have already agreed to the plan and others will be invited by letter to attend a meeting next Tuesday. Among those supporting the group are Meath’s Johnny Brady, Mr Andrews, Dublin North’s Jim Glennon and Donegal North East TD Cecelia Keaveney.

The move is said to be a direct response to mounting criticism from the public over the handling of recent controversies including the crisis in statutory rape laws.

And a number of TDs are also said to be increasingly disgruntled about the conduct of parliamentary party meetings where Cabinet members told TDs the direction Government would be taking rather than discussing the options.