SUPPORT:A NUMBER of Ministers and Fianna Fáil TDs publicly rallied around Taoiseach Brian Cowen yesterday after his apology for a poor radio performance.
A spokesman for the Green Party, which is currently having its think-in in Carlow, said Mr Cowen had dealt with the matter. “He has apologised. The apology has been accepted by his critics for the most part,” he said.
Asked if the Government was stable, the spokesman said: “Yes, this Government continues to tackle difficult economic times, facing the worst recession in the State’s history caused by a home-grown property boom and an international financial crisis.”
However, a number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers 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.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said 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.”
Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin said Mr Cowen’s apology marked the end of the controversy, saying his response had brought the matter to an end.
“He acknowledged the reaction and how it had spun out over the two days, and he certainly came to terms with it himself and I believe genuinely that’s the end of the matter now.”
Minister for Enterprise Batt O’Keeffe said Mr Cowen had been “quite upset” by the episode, while Minister of State John Moloney said the controversy had been “blown out of proportion”.
Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke said a change of leader by Fianna Fáil at this stage would result in an almost immediate general election. “Anyone who sees fit to put themselves forward is hurtling us into the unknown and hurtling us into a general election.”
She said the Dáil would not accept a second change of leader without an election. Ms O’Rourke described the Taoiseach as a “deeply shy man”, but said he would have to “sharpen” his communications skills.
Sligo-North Leitrim TD Eamon Scanlon, who is outside the party whip, said the controversy was “extremely unfortunate” for Mr Cowen personally. “As a person who takes a drink myself, it’s something that can happen. I’m sure if he could turn back the clock, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Thomas Byrne, Meath East, said he had spoken on local radio and said he was not happy with the Taoiseach’s interview and that he would have to do better. “The Taoiseach acknowledged that himself in his apology yesterday,” Mr Byrne said, and he was happy with that.
Peter Kelly of Longford-Westmeath said: “I don’t think he will be challenged at the moment because we have a tough budget coming up, and he happens to be the right man at the right time for the hard decisions.”
Party chairman John Browne said Mr Cowen had apologised, explained his position, and it was time to move on. He did not foresee any challenges and had heard nothing.
Fine Gael said a greater number of general election selection conventions would be held over the next five weeks in anticipation of an election before Christmas.