PROMINENT GOVERNMENT backbencher Seán Power has claimed Taoiseach Brian Cowen is set to resign from his post as soon as the budget has been delivered.
However, Mr Cowen strongly rejected the comments of the Kildare South TD, a former minister of state who has criticised the administration in recent times.
“It is my understanding that shortly after the budget, he will tender his resignation,” Mr Power told his local radio station, KFM. He said Mr Cowen “realises the game is up”.
Mr Power said he believed his Fianna Fáil colleagues felt “it would be too much of a distraction in the short term” if they were to “dwell too much on the leadership”. However, he said it was his view that the vast majority of the Fianna Fáil party did not want Mr Cowen to lead it into the next general election and he was convinced Mr Cowen would not do so.
“I know from talking to Ministers as well that it is the view of many of them that he will not lead us into the next general election.”
Commenting on Tuesday night’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting, Mr Power said Mr Cowen “at no stage” indicated he had any intention to lead the party into the next election. The emphasis during the meeting was “very much on the necessity to get full support for the budget and ensure that’s passed,” he said.
Mr Cowen dismissed Mr Power’s comments in the Dáil yesterday and denied giving any “such indication to anybody, including Mr Power”.
He later dismissed the claims as a “sideshow”, during an interview on the Six One News on RTÉ One.
“I don’t divest my authority as Taoiseach or as leader of the Fianna Fáil party in Government at a time of crisis when we need to get on with making decisions on the basis of Government working coherently and effectively,” Mr Cowen said.
“That’s my job, that’s my focus. And really those sideshows can be dealt with on another occasion.”
Asked if he would lead Fianna Fáil into the next election, Mr Cowen said: “That of course is my intention.” Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin yesterday insisted there was “no indication” there would be a heave against Mr Cowen, adding that she was “not going to be part” of any leadership challenge.
Fianna Fáil Minister of State Martin Mansergh said people would be making a “very grave mistake” if they blamed Fianna Fáil solely for the economic crash.
Dr Mansergh said he was not absolving Fianna Fáil of blame nor seeking electoral advantage, but lessons would not be learned if people assumed “the problem is just Fianna Fáil”.