FF told Greens that Cowen was about to resign last Thursday

Taoiseach changed his mind after lunchtime chat with Brian Lenihan and a ring-around of TDs

Shane Coleman and Conor McMorrow

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen had decided to resign as party leader on Thursday, only to change his mind immediately prior to the parliamentary party meeting, the Sunday Tribune has learned.

It is understood that some time after midday, the Green Party and senior ministers were told that Cowen was going, but the Taoiseach reconsidered after a lunchtime ring-around of deputies by close allies.

Cowen also spoke by phone with finance minister Brian Lenihan and decided instead to embark on the process of consultation with TDs which continued over this weekend.

There were growing indications yesterday that Cowen may be considering staying on, which would mean a motion of confidence would be required to force him out. Efforts to secure the 18 signatures required for such a motion are understood to be ongoing this weekend.

Party figures close to Cowen believe he will not let matters get to the point of a confidence motion because of the damage it would do to the party.

But it is known Cowen is deeply reluctant to be seen as having been forced out over "a game of golf with Seán FitzPatrick". While those closest to him personally believe he should go, his main political allies are urging him to fight on. He may need to be told a confidence motion is being readied to force his hand.

It is understood that Cowen spoke with foreign affairs minister Micheál Martin yesterday. There were no public indications from the Martin camp as to what might happen if the Taoiseach does not opt to stand aside. But Martin met with Cowen last Monday and there seems little doubt the Cork TD suggested that a change of leadership could help the party salvage seats.

Cowen also met with the other contenders for the leadership, finance minister Brian Lenihan and tourism minister Mary Hanafin, on Friday night. It is understood Lenihan expressed support for Cowen's decision not to resign on Thursday and to take soundings from the parliamentary party.

While there were some reports Lenihan may have expressed support for Cowen, it may not have been so clearcut as it is known Lenihan has been concerned about Fianna Fáil's standing in the opinion polls.

Hanafin is understood to have told Cowen a change was required and there is a belief in his camp that she could move a confidence motion.

Fianna Fáil figures say it was last week's Red C poll that kick-started the latest heave. A number of exasperated TDs – described as "not the usual suspects" – contacted Martin in the wake of the poll, indicating the middle ground was shifting against Cowen.

Analysis, Pages 18-23

January 16, 2011

Comments

#1 Patrick commented, on January 16, 2011 at 9:07 p.m.:

This pathetic soap opera must come to an end. Cowen is finished and he still hangs on to power as if his life depends on it. His lack of recall in respect of his jolly ups with his Anglo chums defies belief- his most strident political supporters looked stoney faced as he blabbered on and on about his best efforts at putting Ireland first in terms of his time with his hands on the wheel or firmly off it as we now know. But this ship is sinking fast and he still does not get it...

#2 Darren commented, on January 16, 2011 at 9:35 p.m.:

Cowen's like Hitler in his bunker clinging until the very end.

#3 Mark commented, on January 16, 2011 at 10:08 p.m.:

This has been the problem all along with this lot, completely deluded, and probably psychotic, they actually believe their own B.S.
The man on the street is heading for the breadline and these b.stards are obsessed with their little cult holding on to power.
Jesus I hope some day we have a true reckoning.

#4 Paddy Keeley commented, on January 17, 2011 at 12:26 a.m.:

Not only should Brian Cowen go, but also all his bungling cohorts of ministers and they should change the name to Fianna Fail(ures). Fianna Fail(ures) have been succesful in ruining OUR COUNTRY

#5 Jaker commented, on January 17, 2011 at 2:04 a.m.:

How is it last week these Fianna Failures were saying every five minutes everything was for the good of the party. Now Cowen & Co, from today (Sunday) keep saying for the good of the country, (seems his media consultants were working all over the weekend to help him work on his script). They caring for the good of the country, is as fake as he & they are.

PS. Michael Martin...that goes for you, too.

#6 marguerite commented, on January 17, 2011 at 3:10 a.m.:

To the end, Cowan & FF look after no1 & treat Irish citizens with contempt. They really live like ostriches in cuckoo land.

#7 knowtoomuch commented, on January 17, 2011 at 8:31 a.m.:

Yes, I think Brian was absolutely right to propose a motion of confidence in himself 16/1/2011, I remember many years ago a Leader of the USSR making a similar move, those within the inner cabinet in the USSR were made acutely aware of their Fate if they did not do the 'right thing', however, as this failed administration has not long before its head is placed on the political chopping block it is unlikely that Marty will be appointed Minister for Siberian Affairs.....Up Mayo

#8 glagolith2 commented, on January 17, 2011 at 4:29 p.m.:

FF should do what the "baddies"did in the "Bourne Ultimatum" quote "we'll hang it around his neck and start over".
That way Cowen will be the fallguy and the others will be able so salvage some "credit" for themselves.

#9 c carroll commented, on January 17, 2011 at 9:21 p.m.:

It would make you puke, as if the phoney blustering greens(turning more "yellow" by the day) could care less who was leader of ff, they would cling to power if amin and ceaucescu were joint leaders of ff. well come to think of it after haughey, ahern and cowen hey it would be an improvement!!

#10 Jaker commented, on January 18, 2011 at 1:37 p.m.:

It's now time to do a peaceful Tunisia here...seeing as Brian Lenihan (Jnr) "on mature recollection" is cheating & discombobulating again, by letting it be known hours before a secret Fianna Fail vote, that he''s voting for sloppy & sleazy Cowen. Why should the Irish people keep putting up with this dictatorship? Because that's what it is!

Now let's (if Cowen wins) organize a vigorous "March" to the "Dail" to dump him once & for all!

PS. & To think we used to say Charlie Haughey was bad...today's "Gangster's with the Greens & the invisible PD are worse, plenty worse & nauseous.

#11 Jaker commented, on January 18, 2011 at 9:27 p.m.:

Fianna Fail are a joke...but we the people are worse for putting up with them. But one good thing from this is that they will vanish when the people get their chance to cast the most important vote of all...on the ballot paper.

Then it will be "Bye, Bye, Failures"!

#12 Hope commented, on January 18, 2011 at 11:33 p.m.:

No honour among thieves then. One down, Martin relegated to a back bench, he should have been relegated years ago, he agreed with all the FF policies, the ones that brought our country to its knees, he is working hard to save his bacon, or as he said last night to save the party, typical FF thinking, self & party. 71 or so to go, it wont be long, & how ever Hanafin, Lenihan, Cowen, Ahern's x2, try to present the party it wont work, old Martin worried that SF might take seats from FF, well if the Holy Pontiff himself led FF it wont save their seats. So Martin wake up & smell the coffee, you have spent too much time in the air.

#13 Patrick commented, on January 18, 2011 at 11:46 p.m.:

In a way I'm glad Cowen won the vote tonight- it's his mug shot on the poster for the election- his image will help to remind the voters not to vote for ultra crony politics... Michael Martin is a decent man and I believe his star is rising but its the end of the road for FF domination. The real snake in the grass has to be Brian Lenihan- Whilst Cowen splutters on Lenihan Jnr has proved to be a vile piece of pooh... He set up Martin for a fall- Smarmy Brian Lenihan has revealed himself to be a complete bollix- some would say it was handed down..

#14 brendan Buffini commented, on January 19, 2011 at 9:59 p.m.:

Just heard the great news that Mary Harney is resigning as Minister for Health, and will not contest a seat in the next election, When she was sitting on the opposition benches she flattered to deceive,

when she did get her backside on a seat of power, she was about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike for the Irish Citizens, a very forgettable politician.

#15 Hope commented, on January 19, 2011 at 11:06 p.m.:

#13, & the rising star didn't realise he was the fall guy, imagine a chap like that leading a party or a country. & it matters not a jot whose mug shot is on the posters, this bunch of parasites in FF are finished.

#16 Albertine commented, on January 21, 2011 at 1:04 a.m.:

What has been a revelation is how fragile (in mind..) along with decidedly odd decision making behaviour various politicians have displayed recently, it really is under-the microscope material.

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