FIANNA FÁIL is expected to elect a new leader next week following yesterday's announcement by the Taoiseach that he intends to step down on May 6th. The overwhelming favourite to succeed him is the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, who may even be elected unopposed, writes STEPHEN COLLINS,Political Editor.
Arrangements for the leadership election will be announced today. The mood in Fianna Fáil favours an early election, and party sources said last night that the closing date for nominations was likely to be in about a week's time.
Mr Cowen refused to confirm yesterday that he would be a contender, saying it was Bertie Ahern's day and he did not want to detract from it. However, there is a wide expectation among his colleagues that he will be a candidate and that he will win, whether or not there is a contest.
Three other Ministers regarded as having leadership ambitions, Dermot Ahern, Micheál Martin and Mary Hanafin, also declined to say if they will be candidates. A fourth, Brian Lenihan, ruled himself out, but suggested that it would be in the interests of the party if a consensus candidate emerged.
The Taoiseach surprised almost all of his Cabinet colleagues, the rest of the political world and the media by announcing his intention to step down on May 6th at a press conference on the steps of Government Buildings shortly before 11am yesterday.
His Tánaiste, Brian Cowen, was the only Minister who was told of the Taoiseach's plans in advance.
Mr Ahern had told his shocked Fianna Fáil Cabinet colleagues of his plans less than an hour earlier and he then informed the Green Party leader, John Gormley, and the Progressive Democrats leader, Mary Harney, of his intentions before making his public statement.
In that statement, he said that while recent developments had not motivated his decision, the constant barrage of commentary on tribunal-related matters had begun to dominate the political agenda at an important point for the country and would continue to do so while he remained in office.
"We face uncertain economic times and challenges and we are soon to cast our vote on the Lisbon Treaty. The vital interests of Ireland demand that the national dialogue of our political system address these fundamental issues and not be constantly deflected by the minutiae of my life, my lifestyle and my finances."
Mr Ahern insisted he had never enriched himself by misusing the trust of the people. "I have never received a corrupt payment and I have never done anything to dishonour any office I have held. I know that some people will feel that some aspects of my finances are unusual. I truly regret if this has caused any confusion or worry in people's minds.
"All of these issues arose in a period when my family, personal and professional situations were rapidly changing and I made the best decisions I could in the circumstances in which I found myself. I know in my heart of hearts that I have done no wrong and wronged no-one," he said.
Later in the Dáil, when acknowledging that the Opposition leaders, Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore, had done their jobs in a political way in a democratic system, he added: "I fully appreciate that and hold no grudges or animosity towards anybody inside or outside this House, although sometimes I think there is a chamber outside this House that does not have the fairness of this establishment, but that is for another place and another day."
Mr Ahern's reference was greeted with applause by Fianna Fáil TDs, most of whom took it that he was referring to the Mahon tribunal, although some felt he was referring to the media.
Mr Kenny paid tribute in the Dáil to the role Mr Ahern had played in the search for peace in Northern Ireland, but he added: "I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach has made this decision, tough and inevitable as it has been . . . This day had to come and I am glad that the Taoiseach recognises that the ongoing work of Government was being distracted by events at the Mahon tribunal."
Mr Gilmore also paid tribute to Mr Ahern and welcomed his decision to step down, saying he appreciated how difficult that decision had been for him personally. "It was a decision he made in the best interests of the country, which I accept. It is a course of action I have been advocating to him for some time."
President Mary McAleese contacted the Taoiseach to give him her good wishes. Other major figures to contact Mr Ahern included British prime minister Gordon Brown, and his predecessor, Tony Blair; Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley, and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness; US senators Ted Kennedy and Richard Neal; and former senator George Mitchell.