Cowen to hold on to Taoiseach position despite backbench ‘rumblings’

Flynn confirms ‘rumblings’ but Cowen seems safe


Kenny’s call for election likely to fall on deaf ears

Áine Ryan

NATURALLY, in the aftermath of last week’s disastrous so called ‘Cowen gate’, this county’s two Fianna FΡil TDs have their ears close to the ground. However, The Mayo News can confirm that the mood music they are hearing is very different. Bizarrely, while Castlebar’s Deputy Beverley Flynn has confirmed ‘rumblings’ about Brian Cowen’s future as Taoiseach, her colleague from Ballina, Junior Minister, Dara Calleary said yesterday that nobody – including senior ministers he had met in recent days – had made any approach to him.
While Deputy Flynn was critical of the media-led debacle, she said: “In relation to the [Morning Ireland] interview, I would say it was well below a par performance by the high standards Brian Cowen has set. He was right to apologise as, in light of the serious economic conditions, that interview was very important.”
Ms Flynn revealed that back-bench TDs, attending the Galway think-in, had been very keen that a positive message would come out of the gathering.
“We had been addressed by the Chairman of NAMA,  Frank Daly, and we were very anxious that the public be informed about how constructive that session was. But not a word of that was reported on, in light of what happened during his radio interview. I was very disappointed about that,” she continued.
On the other hand, Beverley Flynn strongly criticised ‘a lot of journalists’ for ‘whipping up a media storm’ over the whole issue.
“The people of this country are losing their homes, their businesses are going from under them. At the minute, I think these are the serious issues that people are worried about. In Fianna FΡil and in government, we have to take collective responsibility. The entire cabinet must take responsibility. This is not about who is leader,” she continued.
When The Mayo News questioned her about the mood among backbenchers, in light of Tom Kitt’s call on the News at One yesterday for a parliamentary party meeting to consider the debacle, Ms Flynn said:
“I think Brian Cowen will survive. I don’t believe there is enough support for a contest. But there are definitely rumblings. I have heard rumblings from different members.”
On the other hand, Junior Minister Dara Calleary stands full-square behind his Taoiseach and was categorical about that when he spoke to The Mayo News earlier yesterday.
“Brian Cowen had a bad day but we have got to move on from that now and keep doing what we are doing with the economy. We have the challenges from the international bond markets and we have the  unemployment situation, which is my priority,” Minister Calleary said.
He revealed that ‘nobody has made any approach’ to him about a heave.
“None of my colleagues nor any senior minister has mentioned the notion of a challenge. I think all this talk is media driven,” Dara Calleary said.

Political stability needed
THIS view was corroborated by Fianna FΡil Cllr Al McDonnell. He also stressed the importance of political stability in these turbulent economic times.
“I am not being party-political when I say that members of the Opposition have to be extraordinarily careful in the current economic climate when the markets are so volatile,” Cllr McDonnell said.
“I don’t believe Simon Coveney, who is a measured politician, reailised the consequences of what he did [with his Twitter]. On the other hand, I think [Fine Gael Finance Spokesman] Michael Noonan has been extremely responsible in relation to the international economic perspective. He is a very mature politician,” he continued.
Al McDonnell believes that Brian Cowen is ‘a man of trust and of honour’.
“Cowen probably placed too much trust in the media. I believe there were around 30 journalists at the event. And while there are very responsible journalists out there, it only takes one to feel the pressure of breaking a story,” he also said.
Cllr McDonnell observed that he believed Brian Cowen was ‘in high spirits’ but he was ‘not drunk’. But he conceded that opinion was now divided among the public and, moreover, that last year’s Late Late Show grilling by Ryan Tubridy about his drinking habits had made it difficult to undo that perception.
He added: “There is no better backroom man where policies are being discussed and developed. He is a shy man and a brilliant man. There is no justification for a heave on the basis of what we know or have heard.”
Meanwhile, Achill-based Fianna FΡil Cllr MicheΡl McNamara reiterated the primary importance of resolving the country’s economic problems.
“It’s a very tough time in this country and in fairness to Brian Cowen he has done a very good job in keeping the government together, particularly through the tough budgets.
“Basically there have been some issues in relation to his communication skills but having met him a few times, I find him to be a very intelligent man who has the best interests of this country at heart,” he continued.
Significantly, he added that as the Fianna FΡil whip of Mayo’s county councillors, he had heard ‘no rumblings at all’ about Mr Cowen.
“No matter who was Taoiseach at the moment, it would be a hard job,” Cllr McNamara added.
Unsurprisingly, in a short response to The Mayo News, Taoiseach-in-Waiting, Enda Kenny said: “This country needs a General Election and we need it very quickly.”
Whether that will be in the coming weeks or months is still a matter for speculation, although the increasing likelihood of the three bye-elections doesn’t augur well for this government. One certainty is that the sad lyrics of the Lakes of Ponchartrain will probably not be heard at a Fianna FΡil gathering for the foreseeable future.