BRIAN COWEN’S leadership will be in difficulty unless he displays more vigour and direction in the autumn, according to Fianna Fáil backbencher John McGuinness.
The former Minister of State, who was dropped by the Taoiseach in his last reshuffle, said questions about Mr Cowen’s leadership had been raised by the loss of 84 council seats and the loss of two byelections in June.
Mr McGuinness told RTÉ Radio's This Weekprogramme that the Government needed to come up with a better response to all of the economic issues and spell out a clear plan to the electorate.
“We must resume our parliamentary business in September with a greater degree of confidence; with a greater degree of explanation to the public as to how we are going to move things forward,” he said.
Asked about Mr Cowen’s continued leadership, the Kilkenny TD said: “He will be judged on his performance and, let’s be honest about this in relation to the leadership of the party, if that is not matched by action and a new direction with power and vigour and a desire to lead us out of this, then there will be difficulty in terms of the leadership.”
He said that in the past when there were problems the party had always found replacements.
“Within the parliamentary party there is always a debate about the leadership of Fianna Fáil. There are always people there willing to serve,” said Mr McGuinness.
He expressed confidence that Mr Cowen would “step up to the plate” and deliver a new round of action in relation to the economy, but if he did not there were mechanisms for others to challenge his position.
“There will come critical times or moments or events that will determine whether a new leadership is required. And if that happens there are individuals within Fianna Fáil.
“We have never been found wanting. In terms of putting forward a strong leader as we found Brian Cowen after Bertie Ahern, or indeed following on from de Valera and Lemass.”
Mr McGuinness said that there was plenty of talent within the Cabinet and within the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
“There are plenty of people there with the appropriate qualifications to lead the party and to be Taoiseach and that is a healthy position to be in,” said the TD.
He said that he had been surprised by the decision of the two Sligo TDs, Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon, to resign the party whip, but added that there was a disconnect in the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
“I have always encouraged people to stay within the parliamentary party and to raise issues within the parliamentary party,” said Mr McGuinness, who added that there would have to be a greater and more direct response from Ministers in relation to the issues raised by TDs.
“That is essential for our function as parliamentarians. We have big issues coming down the track in relation to Nama, the McCarthy report, the budget, the commission on taxation and there will be need for a tight Government performance and a need for Fianna Fáil to recover in terms of its position at the polls.
“And gaining confidence with the public, and that can only be done if we exercise a truly strong parliamentary party function.”