Kitt says he will not back Cowen in vote

PARTY REACTION:FORMER CHIEF whip Tom Kitt last night confirmed he would not support Taoiseach Brian Cowen's motion of confidence in his leadership of the party tomorrow.

Mr Kitt, who said at the parliamentary party meeting last Thursday it was open to Mr Cowen to put down a motion of confidence in himself, said he welcomed the opportunity to vote on the matter.

“I’m voting for a change of leadership, but I genuinely respect this process. I welcome the fact that we’ll have this vote. He’s [Mr Cowen] obviously done a very comprehensive consultation process,” Mr Kitt said.

Speaking from London, Mr Kitt said he was “voting for change” and would not endorse another candidate at this stage.

Some senior Fianna Fáil figures estimate Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has the support of between 10 and 12 deputies, while Taoiseach Brian Cowen could depend on more than 45 TDs.

Mr Martin last night confirmed he would vote against Mr Cowen in the motion of confidence. Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin did not comment, but is widely expected to vote against, while Minister for Social Protection Eamon Ó Cuív is expected to back Mr Cowen. Mr Lenihan has refused to comment on how he will vote tomorrow but Mr Cowen’s allies believe he will support the Taoiseach.

Deputies who have made public their view that a change of leadership is required include John McGuinness, Noel O’Flynn, Ned O’Keeffe, Michael Kennedy, Chris Andrews, Sean Power and MJ Nolan.

Mr O’Flynn called on Saturday for Mr Cowen to step down and for Mr Martin to take over as leader. “I think it is time for Brian Cowen to consider his position and to resign as leader of Fianna Fáil and I think what should happen then is that the parliamentary party should come in behind the candidature of Micheál Martin,” he said.

Minister of State Seán Haughey has stated his support for Mr Martin as a potential party leader.

Before Mr Cowen announced he intended staying on as leader, Mr Haughey praised Mr Martin’s “great qualities” on RTÉ Radio’s Marian Finucane programme, but added: “I’m not prepared to commit myself until and unless there’s a vacancy.”

Mr Haughey said he told Mr Cowen on Thursday “he wasn’t communicating with the electorate” and there was a particular problem with Dublin voters.