Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has rejected a call from one of his own TDs for the dismissal of Mr Alan Dukes as party vice-president following the former leader’s criticism of Fine Gael banking policy.
In a statement issued at the parliamentary party "think-in" at a Co Cavan hotel, Longford-Westmeath TD James Bannon sharply criticised Mr Dukes who had described the Fine Gael policy in a radio interview as "cumbersome" and lacking the clarity of the Government's plan for a National Asset Management Agency (Nama).
"Mr Dukes is in no position to make an impartial public statement on Nama," Mr Bannon said. "He is a Government appointee to the board of Anglo-Irish Bank which was bailed at a cost of €3 billion, despite the misgivings of those who are footing the bill – the taxpayer.
Mr Bannon concluded: "Mr Dukes should under no circumstances be given the option of renewing his role as vice-president of Fine Gael. He should in fact be shown the door sooner rather than later."
At a press conference today, Mr Kenny firmly rejected Mr Bannon's call. "I disagree with James's statement," he said.
When it was put to him that, "as a strong leader", he should force Mr Dukes's resignation, Mr Kenny replied: "A strong leader made it perfectly clear that this party is not going to be kicked around by anybody. We are perfectly entitled as the major opposition party to have a point of view."
Asked if he expected Fine Gael to be able to form a government on its own after the next general election, he replied: "This is not beyond possibility. I would remind you that in an election not so long ago, Fianna Fail, at 38 per cent of the vote were within a whisker of having an overall majority.
"In the last opinion poll, Fine Gael were at 34%. We still have strides to make; there are new opportunities for our party out there. We're going into the next election and we're very confident of what we can achieve."
On the Lisbon Treaty, he said Fine Gael would be holding a "national canvass day" on September 26th to promote a Yes vote in the referendum on October 2nd.
"Every Fine Gael member that's possible will be asked to physically canvass some area and make direct contact on doors with people to stress the importance to them of voting Yes for Lisbon."
Fine Gael would also be organising a meeting on Lisbon in every constituency on September 21st and he would himself be embarking on a 20-day tour to promote a Yes vote throughout the State.
He refused to "get into the detail" of the Commission on Taxation Report. Fine Gael would respond later, as part of preparing its own budgetary proposals.
Pressed on the issue of property tax, he said he had not had time to study the manner in which it was presented by the Commission but observed that, "It does seem as if it's fraught with great difficulty."