Taoiseach Brian Cowen has pledged to be more cautious after his poor radio interview performance embarrassed his Government and generated negative international commentary.
Speaking in Tullamore, Co Offaly this morning, Mr Cowen accepted that the "atmosphere" of modern politics meant he would have to be more careful about his behaviour in future.
"I'll be a bit more cautious in terms of that aspect of how I conduct my social life," the Taoiseach said. "I take responsibility for my end of things and I'll make sure they don't happen again."
He said there was nothing "unwholesome or raucous" about the Fianna Fáil dinner in Galway he had attended the night before his shaky RTÉ interview on Tuesday. "The basis upon which that coverage took place, I would suggest, was on the basis of a tweet made by a political opponent because it was giving credence. The fact
of the matter is it was without justification and foundation," he said.
"When you are Taoiseach, the dignity of the office has to be upheld at all times, and I would hate anyone to think I'm not taking that aspect of my job seriously," he said. "You're also, in doing that job, trying to be yourself ... It's a question of balance, you've got to find that balance."
Mr Cowen poured water on rumours that his leadership of Fianna Fáil was under threat. “I have the full support of parliamentary party, they support the Government, they know that we have a job to do and we have to get on with it," he said. "We know that we have to have a Government with a working majority to do the important job of work to be done for the country in the weeks and months and, indeed, years ahead."
He said there were always personality clashes within the parliamentary party. "But what holds us together is a commitment and a duty to do what's right by the country."
Mr Cowen also said he was sorry if any hurt was caused by his impersonation of golfer Philip Walton, whom he described as a "sporting hero". The Ryder Cup winning golfer has written to the Taoiseach asking him to explain why he mimicked him at the Fianna Fáil dinner.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin today refused to be drawn on the question of Mr Cowen's leadership but said the affair had been damaging to the Government.
"I think we have to really organise ourselves in a way that matches the mood of the people," he said at a ceremony to mark 25th anniversary of Tabor Lodge addiction treatment centre. "Clearly we have lessons to learn and we will work on that particular agenda in terms of future events, in terms of future communications strategies. I think the key issue facing us now is the very significant economic and financial issues before the country."
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan said the issue was now over, in his view. "The matter has been dealt with comprehensively," he said. "I've an important job to get on with, the Government has important task to get on with, dealing with our current financial position and ensuring that confidence is maintained in this country."
Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin said the Taoiseach sounded "awful" in the interview. Speaking in Co Donegal, she said she understood how the public could have been upset but insisted it would not be repeated. "I don't believe it will happen again. I knew communication and publicity is hugely important but leadership is about decision-making," she said.
Earlier today, Green Party leader John Gormley said the controversy over the Taoiseach’s interview was distracting from the real issues facing the Government. In his first public comments since Mr Cowen’s poor interview performance, the Minister for the Environment said he accepted the Taoiseach’s “fulsome” apology and it was time to move on.
“The Taoiseach had an off day, he acknowledged that, he apologised,” he said.
Mr Gormley said that the reason the Greens had been largely silent on the issue until now is that they wanted to focus on the “real” issues. “I think the Irish people want to see us get out of this financial mess and they want to ensure, and we want to ensure as a party, that we never go back there again,” he said.
“I know politics is a sort of blood sport and I know we like to sometimes talk about it in a jovial way … but I have to ask myself as someone in the midst of this crisis, as are so many people, is it going go get us out of this particular mess we are in?” he said. “The answer is clearly no.”
Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan said whatever internal developments might be taking place within Fianna Fáil were a matter for that party. "Fianna Fáil is Fianna Fáil, we're the Green Party. Let Fianna Fáil manage its own affairs," he said.
Asked at the Green Party think-in in Co Carlow if he had confidence in Mr Cowen, Mr Ryan said: "I do have that confidence."
Speaking to reporters in Brussels yesterday, Mr Cowen insisted there was nothing to support the suggestion the controversy would undermine confidence in his leadership and he retains the confidence of his TDs and Senators.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said yesterday Mr Cowen had the full confidence of the Cabinet and the parliamentary party. “So we are moving on from what has happened, and we’re down to do what we have to do, which is striving towards economic recovery and getting people back to work. I’m being quite categoric in what I’m saying that the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is behind the Taoiseach, as are all his colleagues who are Ministers.”
However, a number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers yesterday continued to express unease in private about the way Mr Cowen does his job. While some said they would like to see a change of leader before the next election, none was prepared to air that view in public.