Cabinet colleagues rally behind Cowen

Debate has continued today over the leadership of the Taoiseach following a Fianna Fáil backbencher's criticism of Brian Cowen at a parliamentary party meeting last night.

Kildare TD and former junior minister Sean Power questioned whether or not Mr Cowen is the right person to lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election.

However senior Cabinet members this morning rallied around the Taoiseach, insisting that Deputy Power's views were not shared by his party colleagues at this present time.

Speaking to local media today Deputy Power reiterated the points expressed last evening.

"I wouldn't have suggested having the discussion if I was happy with his leadership," Deputy Power told Kfm.

"Yes, I would prefer to see the Taoiseach stepping down and somebody within the Fianna Fáil party replacing him."

Members of the Cabinet subsequently said that Deputy Power was entitled to raise his concerns, but that Mr Cowen had their support.

Social Protection Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv insisted that Mr Cowen had the backing of his party, and called for "personality politics" to be put aside for the good of the country.

"A very important part of Fianna Fáil is the right of members to express their views," Minister Ó Cuiv said.

"I wouldn't agree with Sean Power - I think the Taoiseach is doing an excellent job, and what we need to do is focus on the job in hand."

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern also said Deputy Power was entitled to question the Taoiseach's leadership of the party, but said he does not share his views.

Minister Ahern also said that it has been a difficult two and a half years for the Taoiseach and the Cabinet and that the country should come before the party.

"A lot of the articulation (regarding Mr Cowen's leadership) is because our party is low in the polls," Minister Ahern said.

He added that Fianna Fáil had a duty to the country "to try and turn this ship around", irrespective of how the party fared in opinion polls or in the next general election.

Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin meanwhile said there was no appetite for a leadership challenge within Fianna Fáil.

Minister Hanafin said Deputy Power's comments at last night's meeting were not echoed by others, and in fact some party members who had spoken out against the Taoiseach in the past pledged their support for him.

"There wasn't a group of people lined up behind him (Deputy Power)," Minister Hanafin said.

She insisted that party members had urged their colleagues to stick together, to show leadership and to avoid distraction from the pressing budgetary concerns at hand.