Fine Gael would win 60 seats in the next general election under Mr John Bruton's leadership, the Fine Gael leader claimed yesterday.
On his analysis, he said seats would be gained in areas such as Kerry South, Limerick East, Clare and Donegal North East.
Speaking on RTE Radio One, Mr Bruton said he was very confident he would survive tomorrow's no-confidence motion. It was "surprising" that Mr Michael Noonan and Mr Jim Mitchell supported him in the November vote and changed their minds on the basis of one opinion poll. "If they believe what they say they believe now, they were not acting sincerely when they supported me."
"It would be utterly corrosive of Fine Gael, if, on the whim of an opinion poll, on the initiative of two individuals, a decision democratically taken were to be reversed. That would show that Fine Gael is not resolute. It would show that Fine Gael hasn't the resoluteness necessary for government."
Mr Bruton rejected criticism of his leadership qualities and said he took the lead in the Dail on issues concerning Mr Ray Burke, Mr John Ellis, Mr Denis Foley and Mr Liam Lawlor.
"Michael Lowry was sacked within 24 hours - 24 hours and he was gone. How long did it take Bertie Ahern to deal with Ray Burke? How long did it take Bertie Ahern to deal with Denis Foley?" he asked.
Mr Bruton said he accepted responsibility for the decline in the Fine Gael party but said all senior party members should accept responsibility.
He rejected Mr Mitchell's claims that he had not consulted the party over the "Celtic Snail" advertising campaign. "That was brought before the front bench a week before it was launched and neither Jim nor Michael said anything," he said.
