FF official calls for Cabinet to be sacked

The Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has hit back at a Fianna Fáil official who called for him and five other members of the Cabinet to be sacked.

National Executive member Jerry Beades called for the action by the Taoiseach to show "decisive leadership".

A week ago Mr Beades went on national radio calling for Mr Dempsey, the Tánaiste, the Justice, Tourism and other Ministers to be sacked.

He repeated those calls at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil National Executive last night.

It is understood that at the meeting the Transport Minister hit back saying Mr Beades "should not have gone public".

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the gathering there was a need for unity of purpose in Fianna Fáil, "that nobody was happy with the way things are" in the party and he's "the most unhappy of all".

Meanwhile he is now expected to carry out changes to his Cabinet - including the assignment of new departments in a matter of weeks.

But the Taoiseach could leave himself open to criticism from the Opposition of just moving the deck chairs, with many expecting him to mainly stick with his "tried and trusted team" and just a few new faces getting jobs.