Cowen 'confident' of survival as leader

Brian Cowen has said he is confident he would survive his own motion of confidence in his leadership.

The Taoiseach broke with protocol last night to announce he would put forward a motion of confidence in himself in a secret ballot at Tuesday’s meeting of the parliamentary party. He needs 36 votes to survive.

“I’m confident of the outcome,” the Taoiseach told Clare FM. “I had a very detailed consultation with all TDs in the party. I’m very heartened by that process.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has led the charge against the Taoiseach, claiming that the survival of the party is at stake at the next election, due in March.

He claimed there was back-biting and whispers in the party throughout last year over Mr Cowen’s leadership.

Today, Mr Cowen signalled the issue of Minister Martin's resignation may arise after the parliamentary party meeting.

“Micheál has made the offer of resignation and I told him that it is not something I would accept at the present time while this debate is going on…We’ll see in the aftermath of the parliamentary party meeting what the right and proper course of action to take is,” he said.

Meanwhile, junior minister Billy Kelleher today joined rebel ranks trying to oust the Taoiseach as leader of Fianna Fáil.

As Micheál Martin claimed other Cabinet members also wanted change, Billy Kelleher said he would vote to end Mr Cowen’s rule.

Mr Kelleher warned he also believed the majority of Government ministers and backbenchers wanted change.

The junior minister, who holds the trade and commerce portfolio but not a seat at the Cabinet table, claimed Fianna Fáil had failed to communicate properly with the public.

“The reality is that Fianna Fáil must recognise the current climate of public opinion, and I believe the time has come for a change of leader who will put forward a positive agenda and engage with the public,” he said.

Two other senior Cabinet members, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin – both put up as potential leadership candidates – have yet to declare their hand.

Micheál Martin said party members around the country have warned him that they do not want Mr Cowen as leader in the election campaign.

He said he believed TDs had told the Taoiseach to put the leadership issue to bed one way or another and that a vote should have been held earlier.

“I have made my decision and I haven’t sought support from others,” the minister said. “I would be aware of Cabinet ministers who would have similar views but it’s for them to make their views known.”

Government Chief Whip John Curran said he had not heard of any other minister backing Mr Martin.

“Brian Cowen, staying on not just as Taoiseach but as leader of Fianna Fáil, is prepared for the battle,” Mr Curran said.

Mr Martin insisted he did not feel isolated.

The numbers voting for or against the Taoiseach in the secret ballot will not be made known.

Noel O’Flynn, a backbencher who has declared in favour of Mr Martin, said he wanted change after watching the party’s slump in opinion polls as well as the popularity of the Taoiseach.

“We’re looking at the possible wipeout of the party,” Mr O’Flynn said.