The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said his relationship with the Green Party and its leader John Gormley remained “excellent” despite the resignation of the former Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea this week.
Mr Cowen also predicted the Government would last its full term, although he accepted the Coalition could have done without the controversy that erupted this week.
Mr Cowen, speaking during a visit to Tara Mines in Co Meath today, said that Mr O'Dea contacted his office shortly after his interview with RTÉ's News at One. He said they had a discussion about Mr O'Dea's position. The Taoiseach also suggested Mr O'Dea was already moving in the direction of stepping down from his role by the time he and Mr Gormley discussed the matter later on Thursday evening.
“It had already been indicated to me by Willie O’Dea that he was very much of the view that he did not want his presence in Government to become a matter of instability for Government,” he said.
Asked had he himself come to the same conclusion in the early afternoon, Mr Cowen said: “I wanted to give him space and time to reflect over those hours and to consult with colleagues. It’s important that these matters be done in a proper and appropriate way.”
Mr Cowen refused to be drawn on when he would move to replace Mr O’Dea or on questions about a wider reshuffle. “I lead the party. It’s my prerogative as Taoiseach to lead the Government we have,” he said, adding that he would come to a decision in due course.
Mr Cowen said he could not accept the charge that the Government was too aggressive in its defence of Mr O’Dea or that a mood of contrition over the defamatory comments did not emerge until too late in the day.
“In a confidence motion as you know, there were serious charges being made against the Minister as well and there were very robust exchanges.
“It was very unfortunate that this matter arose. Willie O’Dea took the decision based on his political judgement of the situation. It was a regrettable conclusion that he came to and what we have to do now is get on with the job of running this country,” he said.