Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has called on the Taoiseach to resign immediately.
Mr Kenny said Brian Cowen should have the courage to go to the President and tender his resignation.
He claimed Fianna Fáil was “pulling the wool” over the eyes of Green leader John Gormley by not informing him of the party’s “machinations” in relation to the resignation of ministers.
“The Greens are being sneered at and laughed at behind their backs by Fianna Fáil, and taken for fools, Mr Kenny said, speaking today at the launch of a Fine Gael policy document on small businesses.
While his preference was for an immediate election, Mr Kenny said he recognised the importance of passing the Finance Bill. He suggested a timetable which would see this bill pass through the Oireachtas by February 10th, after which an election should be called.
If an election is called before the bill was passed, a new government could pass the legislation. But Mr Kenny warned that Fine Gael, if elected, would unpick some of the measures proposed by the current Government.
The Fine Gael leader claimed Fianna Fáil has an agenda to prolong its grip on power. “In Government Buildings, they’re creating jobs for the boys, not jobs for the people. This charade has gone on long enough.”
