The Fine Gael parliamentary party will begin a two-day meeting in Dublin today in an effort to decide how to elect a new leader.
TDs and senators will meet at 2 p.m. this afternoon in City West to continue their analysis of the future direction of the party after it lost 23 seats in the general election. Party chairman Mr Padraic McCormack said the purpose of the meeting was to give the party time to reflect on its future direction. "We will not be rushed by anybody. That's why I deliberately scheduled a two-day meeting. People can play a game of golf if they like. There is no agenda as such, except that we want to decide how we will approach the leadership."
He explained that Mr Michael Noonan had indicated at last Friday's meeting that he would remain as leader as long as the party wished him to do so. In recent days efforts were being made behind the scenes to try to find a leader by consensus. A number of senior party figures believe this would help the party to get back on its feet quickly.
There is divided opinion within the party about whether a leader should be chosen this week or whether there should be consultation with the wider party before this is decided. Many TDs believe they should have a leader elected by the time the 29th Dáil sits on June 6th so the party will be able to propose their leader as Taoiseach.
"The best hope is that we would emerge with some sort of agreement on who would be leader and deputy leader. We wouldn't want to drag it out too much and be like the Conservatives in the UK last year where you could see the emergence of some head-bangers," said one party source yesterday. Mayo TD Mr Enda Kenny, who was defeated by Mr Noonan for the leadership last year, said yesterday that the format of the party meeting should be tightened.
People should be asked "what characters and traits they want in a new leader. The parliamentary party should be enabled to give their view to begin with on whether they want someone old, new, rural or urban, male or female; that is how consensus can be reached." Carlow/Kilkenny TD Mr Phil Hogan, who is the only candidate to have declared, and Longford/Roscommon TD Mr Denis Naughten, appear to be the front-runners at present.
However party sources said last night that Mr Richard Bruton, who spent yesterday in his Leinster House office taking soundings from colleagues, also had support.
Dublin based Mr Gay Mitchell is another possible contender. It is understood that Cork TD Mr Simon Coveney remains undecided. Wicklow TD Mr Billy Timmins said in a statement last night that Fine Gael should not rush into the election of a new leader. "It is important that we choose the right person for the role of leader of Fine Gael and this shouldn't be rushed. The phrase 'Marry in haste, repent at leisure' comes to mind," he said.
In the long run, he said, it was immaterial if the new leader was chosen now or in September. "I appreciate that some people may feel that such a length of time may create a vacuum in the party - but I believe it's more important that we get it right and that we make the right decision."
One senior party source said yesterday that he expected those interested in the leadership would "lay out their stalls" at the meeting and take questions from fellow TDs and senators.
A number of Fine Gael members believe that the wider party should also be involved in the election of a leader.